Wankhede Stadium – Everything You Need To Know About

The Wankhede stadium is one of India’s oldest stadiums, established in 1974 and now the Mumbai Indians team’s home stadium. Let us further discuss the Wankhede Stadium’s prestigious iconic moments, average IPL (Indian Premier League) score, the highest individual score, number of IPL matches hosted at this stadium. Also, it would be exciting to know its pitch report analysis and the stadium’s seating capacity.

Wankhede Stadium Capacity

India’s one of the oldest stadiums — The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai holds a massive capacity, accommodating around 33,000 people at a time. Also, many high-profile internationals as well as other domestic cricket matches were held in this stadium. Hence, it includes matches of different formats like — Test matches, ODIs (One-Day Internationals), and IPL (Indian Premier League).

IPL average score at Wankhede Stadium

The Wankhede Stadium’s IPL average first-inning score is 169 runs.

Also, the batting-friendly pitch has boosted the trend in recent years; having Wankhede stadium’s highest successful run chase of 214/4 in the Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2023.

However, being the home ground of Mumbai Indians; the MI vs Delhi Capitals IPL 2024 will also be played at the Wankhede.

IPL Highest individual score at Wankhede Stadium

The highest IPL individual score at Wankhede stadium is AB de Villiers’ 133 runs. The former South African cricketer set the unbeaten score of 133 runs to lead RCB to a highest-ever score of 235 runs.

AB De Villiers had hit 19 fours and 4 sixes with a 225.42 batting strike rate against the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015.

Number of IPL matches hosted in the Wankhede Stadium

Wankhede Stadium has totally hosted around 110 IPL matches.

The first batting team won in the 50 matches, whereas the chasing team won 60 matches. 

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report Analysis

Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium tends to have the most batting-friendly pitch, specifically in shorter format games like the T20s and IPL. Having a flat and well maintained surface that allows good bounce so that the batsman can play his desired shots freely.

On top that, Wankhede Stadium boundaries are short which is a favourable advantage for the batsman. However, during the evening time the dew factor comes in the role which makes it very easy for the chasing team to achieve their target with ease.

Hence, that is the reason out of 110 IPL matches held in this stadium, there are a majority of 60 matches won by the chasing team.

Also, you need to note the point that this same stadium’s pitch has favoured the bowlers in some situations. Especially to the spin bowlers it has favoured a lot and changed the direction of the match progress.

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Iconic moments of the Wankhede Stadium

Here are the most interesting iconic moments of the Wankhede Stadium that will be cherished in the history forever:

1.    Sachin Tendulkar’s Farewell Match:

In November 2013, Sachin Tendulkar played his farewell test match in the Wankhede stadium. One of the most celebrated iconic moment when the stadium was completely filled with audience roar cheering to offer tribute to the Cricket God.

2.    India Wins ICC World Cup 2011:

The Final Match of the ICC World Cup 2011 was held in Wankhede stadium, Mumbai on 2nd April; where team India under MS Dhoni’s captaincy won the prestigious trophy after a long wait of 28 years. Especially, the winning runs were struck from the bat of captain cool MS Dhoni will remain as one of the best sixes in cricket history.

3.    Virat Kohli’s Most Memorable Double Century:

Virat Kohli’s test double century against England was achieved at the Wankhede Stadium in 2016. Fans exploded with extreme joy because of Virat Kohli’s spellbound performance. Indeed, it was a moment that left cricket spectators in awe, with millions of fans across the world going crazy.

4.    Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Lifetime Record:

On 15th November 2023, Virat Kohli surpassed the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s lifetime record (49 ODI centuries) by achieving his 50th ODI century in the World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand. Especially, it was a very proud moment for Kohli and his fans to break the master blaster’s record in his home ground in front of the legend himself. Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, the crowd also included David Beckham and other Bollywood celebrities.

5.    India Enters the 4th ICC World Cup Finals:

India has won against New Zealand by 70 runs in the 2023 World Cup Semi Final under the Hitman Rohit Sharma’s brilliant captaincy. Hence, it was the 4th time for India to enter the world cup finals after 1983, 2003, and 2011.

6.    Mohammed Shami’s Career Best Bowling Figures:

Once again, the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final match witnesses Indian Pace bowler, Mohammed Shami’s career best ODI bowling figures. His 7 wicket haul restricted New Zealand’s aggressive batting performance to a total of 327 runs for 10 wickets in 48.5 overs. Shami conceded only 57 runs by taking 7 wickets in 9.5 overs. Indeed, Mohammed Shami became the 1st Indian as well as the 6th international bowler to achieve a 7 wicket haul in world cup.