Dhoni finishes things off in style. Magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifts the World Cup after 28 years... This iconic line of Ravi Shastri -- when India won the ODI Cricket World Cup at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, in 2011 -- still resonates with every Indian. And, this very historic Wankhede is set to celebrate its golden jubilee. January 19, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of this iconic stadium. To make this day a memorable one, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has organised various events throughout the week.

Built in 1974, Wankhede Stadium is one of the world’s most iconic cricket stadiums, having witnessed monumental moments in cricket history. From Sachin Tendulkar’s final international match in 2013 to India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, the stadium is home to countless memories. Several cricket superstars, who went on to represent India, started their careers here. For instance, Little Master Sunil Gavaskar smashed a double century against the mighty West Indian bowling lineup in 1978-79. A few years later, Ravi Shastri thumped six sixes in an over during the 1984-85 Ranji trophy. Wankhede also enjoyed a thriller encounter between Haryana and Mumbai during the 1991 Ranji Trophy Final. Wankhede, over the years, thus cemented its place in the city's sporting history and became the pride of Mumbai.

“Wankhede is like a home to me. What more should I say? I started my career by playing there. The first-ever international match at Wankhede was played in 1975 and I can proudly say that I was there in the Stadium to watch it. Clive Lloyd's double century and then Eknath Solkar giving it back by hitting a century remains my favourite moment,” said former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar. He also appreciated MCA, who will be feliciating groundsmen of Wankhede during the celebrations.

Expressing his elation about Wankhede, Sachin shared via MCA's X (formerly Twitter) account: “From being a ball boy to playing my last international match here, this place holds significant importance in my life. I will be definitely attending the 50th-year celebration and would also request you all to join me."

For former cricketer and coach, Lalchand Rajput, the 1991 Ranji Trophy final and 2011 ODI World Cup victory are unforgettable. “Whenever you talk about Wankhede, names like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Vengsarkar will come up. Over the last few years, Rohit Sharma has become a Wankhede's favourite. Even during an IPL match, Wankhede never failed to give you that thrill. The atmosphere and vibes of the stadium make you feel like you are at home. Time flies fast when you are in that zone. Few stadiums in the world give you vibes like Wankhede,” Rajput shared.

As part of the celebration week, MCA will organise a special lunch for the groundsmen of MCA clubs and grounds, celebrating the contributions and commitment of unsung heroes of Mumbai cricket. “The Wankhede Stadium is a national pride and its 50th anniversary is a historic milestone for us. The aim to celebrate is to honour its rich cricketing history and glorious journey. At MCA, we take immense pride in celebrating cricket’s legacy and look forward to bringing the entire cricketing community together for this landmark event,” MCA President told The Free Press Journal.

The grand show on January 19 will witness an unparalleled gathering of Mumbai’s domestic and international cricket legends, past and present. The event will also feature performances by renowned artistes like Avadhoot Gupte and Ajay-Atul, capped by a breathtaking laser show. Wankhede will be bringing people together and giving them a chance to witness more historic moments.

Stars behind curtains

Ramesh Mhamunkar, the main curator of Wankhede Stadium is the star behind Wankhede's glory. Seventy-two-year-old Mhamunkar has been associated with Wankhede since 2010, taking over from his predecessor Sudhir Naik. Since then, for the last 15 years, Mhamunkar and his 14-member team have worked hard to maintain the pitch and ground. Before joining Wankhede, Mhamunkar worked at BKC for MCA Academy from 2000.

“When I was working with the MCA team during 1980-90, Sachin used to come as a ball boy at Wankhede. I feel proud that I have known him since then. When he played his last match here in 2013, we all became emotional. He paid homage to the 22-yard strip. Then he clicked a photo with the ground staff team. That moment still remains in my heart,” said Mhamunkar.

Wankhede received the Best Pitch of the Tournament award for the four IPL seasons. Also in the 2016 T20 World Cup, it was awarded rank 1 by ICC. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Wankhede was the only stadium that got a good rating by the ICC. Mhanunkar and his team deserve the credit for it.

Did you know

After World War 2, the Cricket Club of India's (CCI) Brabourne Stadium was used for 17 Tests. However, due to a dispute between the CCI and MCA over the allocation of tickets for cricket matches, S. K. Wankhede, a politician and the secretary of the MCA built the new stadium in South Mumbai near Churchgate station by appointing Shashi Prabhu & Associates as their architects and B.E. Billimoria & Co as the contractors. It was named after Wankhede in 1974. Wankhede staged its first Test in January 1975 when West Indies toured India.