The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) kicked off the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the iconic Wankhede Stadium with a grand felicitation ceremony honoring former captains of the Mumbai cricket teams, both men’s and women’s.
The event, held at the stadium, featured cricketing legends, including Sunil Gavaskar, a member of the Indian team that played the inaugural Test at Wankhede against the West Indies in 1974.
Gavaskar shared his heartfelt reflections during the event, “It’s wonderful to be back at this iconic venue, which has given Indian cricket so many unforgettable moments.”
“As an opening batter, I couldn’t miss the start of the 50th-anniversary celebrations. I express my deepest gratitude to the MCA for the opportunities they provided me, from my school days onward. I owe my success to their unwavering support and encouragement.”
The ceremony was attended by MCA President Ajinkya Naik, Vice President Sanjay Naik, Secretary Abhay Hadap, Treasurer Arman Mallick, Joint Secretary Deepak Patil, and former President Vijay Patil. Cricketing stalwarts such as Sanjay Manjrekar, Wasim Jaffer, Raju Kulkarni, Chandrakant Pandit, Lalchand Rajput, Shobha Pandit, and Arundhati Ghosh were also present, celebrating the rich legacy of Mumbai cricket. The Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) was honored for their contributions to the sport.
As part of the celebrations, two friendly matches were held: one between MCA and SJAM, where MCA triumphed by five runs, and another featuring IAS Officers and Consul Generals, with the IAS team securing a 20-run victory.
MCA President Ajinkya Naik emphasized the significance of the milestone, “The 50th anniversary of Wankhede Stadium is a momentous occasion. Through this week-long celebration, we aim to educate the next generation about Mumbai’s cricketing history and the contributions of our players, inspiring them to carry this legacy forward.”
The anniversary week will feature several events, including a Polly Umrigar Health Camp and a special lunch for groundsmen on January 15, along with the felicitation of the Mumbai team that played the first first-class match at Wankhede in 1974.
The grand finale is scheduled for January 19, 2025, with tickets starting at ₹300, available on District by Zomato and Insider.in. Fans will have the chance to be part of the historic celebration and enjoy an exciting evening of cricketing nostalgia.