Mumbai
India’s most popular and famous cricketing venue, the Wankhede Stadium has been hosting Test matches since 1975, when West Indies won the inaugural game by 201 runs. England will take a lot of heart from the fact that they have won their last two Tests here. In 2012, they defeated India by 10 wickets to equal the series, thanks to 122 and 186 from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen respectively and two five-wicket hauls for Monty Panesar.
They won in 2006 prior to that by 212 runs when Andrew Flintoff, the skipper, picked up the Man of the Match and Man of the Series as England returned with honours even. Overall, India is 10-7 at Mumbai, not really the best of records for the home team.
The ground though will forever be special for Indians considering, it is the venue where the team won the 2011 World Cup Final against Sri Lanka. Known to assist swing because of the proximity to the sea, the humid ground with its red soil also helps spinners with some bounce and turn.
The last time a Test was played here was in 2013 when India hammered West Indies by an innings and 126 runs in what was Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th and final Test match. The stadium has also hosted 20 ODIs featuring India of which the home team has won 10.
