Wankhede Stadium IPL 2025: Wankhede Stadium is one of India’s most iconic cricket venues, serving as the home ground of the Mumbai Indians (MI) since the IPL’s inception in 2008. Located in Mumbai, this 33,000-capacity stadium is known for its electrifying atmosphere, passionate crowd, and thrilling matches.
The first IPL game at Wankhede took place on April 20, 2008, when MI faced Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Since then, it has hosted 116 IPL matches and has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in T20 history.
History of Wankhede Stadium
Mumbai, India’s cricketing hub, has hosted Test matches at three different venues. The city’s first Test was played at Bombay Gymkhana in 1933-34, followed by Brabourne Stadium, which hosted 17 Tests. A dispute between the Cricket Club of India and the Bombay Cricket Association led to the construction of Wankhede Stadium in 1974, just a mile away.
Wankhede’s first Test match was played during the 1974-75 West Indies tour, where Clive Lloyd smashed an unbeaten 242, and India lost by 201 runs. India secured its first victory at the venue in 1976 against New Zealand. Iconic moments at Wankhede include Sunil Gavaskar’s 205, Alvin Kallicharran’s 187, and Ian Botham’s all-round heroics in the 1980 Jubilee Test. The highest Test score by an Indian at the venue remains Vinod Kambli’s 224 against England in 1992-93.
Apart from international matches, Wankhede has hosted numerous IPL classics. It is also where Ravi Shastri famously hit six sixes in an over in 1985 and where Sachin Tendulkar bid farewell to international cricket in 2013.
Nature of the Pitch at Wankhede
Traditionally, Wankhede’s seaside location provided swing bowlers with assistance, especially in the morning and late afternoon when the sea breeze set in. However, the 2011 stadium renovations altered wind flow, reducing swing movement. The pitch remains batting-friendly, with even bounce and shorter boundaries favoring big hitters.
The red soil used on the surface ensures that while batters thrive early on, spinners come into play in the later stages of a match. This was evident in the 2005 Test against Australia, where excessive turn and low bounce helped India secure a dominant victory in under three days.
In the IPL, dew plays a major role in night matches, making it easier for teams chasing a target. Despite being batting-friendly, the pitch has also produced brilliant bowling performances, with Harbhajan Singh and Wanindu Hasaranga both recording 5/18—the best figures at the venue.
How many IPL matches has Wankhede hosted?
As of May 17, 2024, Wankhede has hosted 116 IPL matches:
- Matches won batting first: 54 (46.55%)
- Matches won batting second: 62 (53.45%)
- Matches won by teams winning the toss: 60 (51.72%)
- Matches won by teams losing the toss: 56 (48.28%)
- Matches with no result: 0
Highest and Lowest IPL Scores at Wankhede
- Highest total: 235/1 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs MI, May 10, 2015
- Lowest total: 67 all out – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs MI, May 16, 2008
- Highest successful run chase: 214/4 – MI vs Rajasthan Royals, April 30, 2023
Highest Individual IPL Score at Wankhede
- AB de Villiers (RCB) – 133 (59)* vs MI, May 10, 2015
| Batsman | Score | Opposition |
|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers (RCB) | 133* | MI |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) | 124 | MI |
| Virender Sehwag (KXIP) | 122 | CSK |
| Sanju Samson (RR) | 119 | PBKS |
| Shane Watson (CSK) | 117 | SRH |
Best IPL Bowling Figures at Wankhede
- Harbhajan Singh (MI) – 5/18 vs CSK (April 22, 2011)
- Wanindu Hasaranga (RCB) – 5/18 vs SRH (May 8, 2022)
Most IPL Runs at Wankhede
- Rohit Sharma (MI) – 2,233 runs
- Kieron Pollard (MI) – 1,187 runs
- Suryakumar Yadav (KKR/MI) – 1,083 runs
- Ambati Rayudu (CSK/MI) – 924 runs
- Dinesh Karthik (Multiple teams) – 855 runs
Most IPL Wickets at Wankhede
- Lasith Malinga (MI) – 66 wickets
- Harbhajan Singh (CSK/MI) – 49 wickets
- Jasprit Bumrah (MI) – 49 wickets
- Mitchell McClenaghan (MI) – 36 wickets
- Hardik Pandya (GT/MI) – 31 wickets
- Dwayne Bravo (CSK/MI/GT) – 26 wickets
Wankhede Stadium remains one of the most exciting venues in world cricket, offering high-scoring games, thrilling chases, and legendary performances.
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