The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been witness to some of India’s historic moments in the game – be it India’s 2011 World Cup triumph or Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test match.
While the World Cup triumph and Dhoni’s match-winning six could be the lasting impressions on the minds of the cricket lovers, the venue has also played host to many a memorable match in the longest format of the game.
The stadium, which is located in close proximity to the sea, is known to give assistance to the fast bowlers in the early stages and progressively favour spinners in the latter half. In the shorter formats, it is a run-making paradise for the batsmen.
As India and England gear up for the 4th Test of the series to be played at the venue, we take a look at the 5 most memorable Test matches played here:
#1 India vs. West Indies, Jan 1975
More than 40 years ago, Wankhede staged its first Test when the erstwhile formidable West Indies visited India for a five-Test tour. The venue at Bombay was hosting the final Test, the series level at 2-2. Besides the birth of the new Test venue, the series had more historical significance attached to it.
The legendary Sir Vivian Richards made his Test debut in the first Test of this series at Bangalore, along with Gordon Greenidge. It was also the last hurrah for the Nawab of Pataudi – the late Mansur Ali Khan - arguably, India's greatest captain ever. The final Test at Bombay was to be his farewell game.
The match was a six-day affair and the West Indian captain Clive Lloyd won the toss and opted to bat. The Windies batted for a little more than two days and piled on a mammoth 604, declaring on the third morning.
Opener Roy Fredericks (104), Alvin Kallicharran (98) and Deryck Murray (91) batted around the skipper who cracked a double century and remained unbeaten at a career-best 242. In reply, India’s Eknath Solkar scored his first Test century as they managed to avoid the follow-on.
Despite all the cricketing heroics, the game was also marred by controversy. On the second day of the Test, play was disrupted due to a crowd riot that was set off by the police attacking a young fan who had invaded the pitch to congratulate Lloyd on reaching his double century. Around ninety minutes of play was lost on the day but the Windies’ request to make up for the time lost was rejected by the Indian Board.
As it panned out eventually, this time was not required as they plundered 205 in about three hours, left India a target of 404 and bowled them out for 202 on the last day.
Recalling the fond memories, Lloyd said, “What sticks out in my memory about that Test even more than our victory and my own score was the finale. We had got back into our dressing room when someone came in and said that crowd was chanting for us to make a farewell appearance in the middle. It was an emotional and unforgettable moment.”
India’s Karsan Ghavri, who also made his Test debut in the series, saw the controversial side and shared the bitter memories in an interview to the Mid-Day.
“I saw it from close quarters. All that lad wanted to do was shake Clive's hand. His appreciation for a great knock was genuine. There was no need to beat him up so badly. This incident caused the riot. Ramji Dharod (a former club cricketer) deserves credit for going to the centre and speaking to the police force and the irate spectators.
“Such people should be hailed in Mumbai cricket. It was a brave gesture."
#2 India vs. Australia, Nov 2004
The Wankhede witnessed a low scoring thriller when India and Australia locked horns in the 4th and final Test of Australia’s triumphant tour of India in 2004. The Test marked the debuts of India’s left-handed opening bat Gautam Gambhir and wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik.
Going into the final Test, Australia had attained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and the pressure was squarely on India. India were bundled out for 104 in under 42 overs in their first innings, Dravid batting with dogged resistance to score 31.
Damien Martyn, who was the Player of the Series, scored a fifty as Australia raised a lead of close to hundred runs in the first innings. Tendulkar and Laxman scored fifties in the second innings, but an unlikely threat emerged in the form of the part-time left-arm spin of Michael Clarke, whose unbelievable career-best figures of 6/9 left Australia with only a target of 107.
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Harbhajan Singh - Australia’s long-standing nemesis in India – then revived memories from 2001, when he ran through the Aussie batting as Australia were bowled out for 93, painfully short of the target by 14 runs. The match was wrapped up in three days, much to the disapproval of players from both sides.
After the Test, Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting remarked that the wicket was nowhere near being Test standard. "Forty wickets in two days is almost unheard of. It's been a fantastic series but this has left a sour taste," he said.
#3 India vs England, Nov 2012
The venue of the 4th Test of the ongoing series holds happy memories not just for India but also for the visiting team. Going 2-0 down into the match, they have a rich history at the ground to fall back on. It was here that England won the one-off Golden Jubilee Test in 1980, held in commemoration of 100 years of the Indian cricket board.
One of the greatest all-rounders in the game, Ian Botham stole the show with 13 wickets and a counter-attacking 114 with the bat. Overall, they have won three Tests at the venue and have been one team that has stood tall on the turners produced here.
In their triumphant tour of India in 2012, England achieved one of their finest Test victories away from home - a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over the home team in the second Test of the series played here. It was a series-defining moment after falling to defeat in the opening game at Ahmedabad.
On a raging turner, India managed to post 327 in their first innings, solely due to Cheteshwar Pujara’s single-handed 135 and a 68 from Ashwin. The Wankhede then witnessed one of the greatest counter-attacking innings ever played in the subcontinent.
Despite the failures of the remaining batsmen, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen, in their contrasting styles, added 206 runs in a match-winning partnership for the third wicket. Cook was solid and steady as ever, while Pietersen brought out his spectacular strokeplay. Cook (122) and Pietersen (186), both notched up their 22nd Test century, equalling the England record for most number of Test centuries.
Equipped with a handy 86 run lead, the English spin duo of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann skittled out India for a mere 142 - Gambhir’s contribution alone was 65 and no one else, with the exception of Ashwin, touched double digits.
#4 India vs. West Indies, Nov 2011
While draws are part and parcel of the longest format of the game, rarely does it happen that they throw up a thrilling contest despite a nil result. One such instance was the 3rd and final Test of West Indies’ tour of India in 2011. In fact, all four results including a tie was possible when Fidel Edwards ran in to deliver the last over on the final day.
Needing two off the last ball to win, Ashwin’s hesitation cost India as he was run out by a distance after a late response to Aaron’s call for the second run. The rarity of the occasion is defined by this stat - only once before, in 2,018 previous Tests, had a match ended as a draw with the scores level after the fourth innings.
Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies rode on a fine 166 from Darren Bravo and fifties from each of its top six to post a huge 590. India replied with 482, courtesy a century from Ashwin and fifties from Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar and Kohli. The pitch which stayed flat for the first half of the match, turned in the bowlers’ favour as the match progressed and the Windies were shot out for 134 in their second innings.
Despite failing to take India over the line, Ashwin’s first innings century and his 9 wicket-haul in the game won him the ‘Player of the Match’ honour, in addition to the ‘Player of the series’ in his debut Test series. India won the series 2-0 but fell short of its first 3-0 whitewash since 1993-94.
#5 India vs. West Indies, Nov 2013
Two years after the epic drawn Test, India and West Indies met again at Wankhede for the second of a two-Test series – an occasion of immense significance to Indian cricket. Sachin Tendulkar, who was approaching his 200th Test, had revealed his intentions to hang his boots after the series, and the BCCI left no stone unturned to ensure India’s most celebrated cricketer was accorded a grand farewell. The stage was set at Tendulkar’s home ground – Wankhede, Mumbai.
Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha dominated Tendulkar’s farewell Test with five-wicket hauls in each innings, while Pujara and Rohit Sharma scored centuries in their only innings in the match, which India won by an innings and 126 runs.
Sachin looked in as fine nick as he ever was but missed out on the rare distinction of scoring a century in his final innings when he cut spinner Narsingh Deonarine straight into the hands of Darren Sammy at slip – this was a repeat of an incident from the drawn Test at the same ground when Sachin fell short by six runs, coincidentally, by giving a catch to the same Sammy.
The stadium fell into few moments of silence before giving the legend a standing ovation as he walked back with 74 in his final stay.
Later, Sachin made his final walk to the playing square, before delivering a stirring farewell address to a packed arena and many millions of fans watching on television. In his speech, he paid tribute to the ground for his growth as a cricketer.
“My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o'clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o'clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me,” he said.
“That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket,” he added.
The Test was attended by Sachin’s family, former cricketers, several dignitaries from various walks of life and thousands of fans who had thronged the stadium to watch him in action, one last time.
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