Wankhede Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report – Bowling and Batting, Records & Stats
Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium is one of the most prestigious cricket venues in the world. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere due to the Arabian Sea. With an enthusiastic crowd, this ground has witnessed some memorable moments in cricketing history. One of which was India’s ICC Cricket World Cup victory under the leadership of MS Dhoni in 2011.
From creating a batting-friendly ground to supporting swing, the Wankhede pitch offers a competition between bat and ball. Let’s take a closer look at the pitch report, batting and bowling conditions and the overall records and statistics of this historic venue.
Pitch Report: General Nature
The Wankhede pitch is traditionally regarded as a batting-friendly surface that offers:
- Even bounce and pace which helps stroke-makers play their shots freely.
- Shorter boundaries, especially square of the wicket, making six-hitting easier.
- A quick outfield that rewards timing.
However, bowlers also find assistance here:
- Seamers can extract swing with the help of sea breeze, particularly in day-night matches.
- Spinners get grip and turn as the game progresses, especially in longer formats.
- Dew factor plays a significant role in night games, often making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball.
In short, Wankhede is a paradise for batters, but clever bowlers who adjust lengths and vary pace can also succeed.
Pitch Report: Batting
- True Bounce: Batters love Wankhede because the ball comes nicely onto the bat. Even on fresh wickets, stroke play is rewarding.
- High-Scoring Venue: IPL and ODI matches here have often witnessed scores of 180+ in T20s and 300+ in ODIs.
- Six-Hitting Ground: The smaller square boundaries make it a six-hitter’s dream, giving power hitters a huge advantage.
- Chasing Advantage: Due to dew and flat surfaces, teams chasing have historically enjoyed success.
Batting Summary: Wankhede is one of the best batting venues in India, with multiple high-scoring thrillers to its name.
Pitch Report: Bowling
- Seamers: Early swing, particularly with the new ball under lights, can trouble batters. Bowlers who use variations (slower balls, cutters, yorkers) are effective in T20s.
- Spinners: They don’t always dominate here, but wrist-spinners have had success when they toss it up. In the later stages of a match, they can slow down run flow.
- Death Bowling Challenge: The shorter boundaries make death overs extremely tough for bowlers. Execution of yorkers is key.
Bowling Summary: Wankhede is a challenging venue for bowlers, especially in white-ball cricket. Fast bowlers enjoy early overs, while spinners can be useful in the middle stages.
Records & Stats at Wankhede Stadium
Tests
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First Test | West Indies vs India – Jan 23–29, 1975 |
| Last Test | New Zealand vs India – Nov 01–03, 2024 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
ODIs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First ODI | India vs Sri Lanka – Jan 17, 1987 |
| Last ODI | India vs New Zealand – Nov 15, 2023 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
T20Is
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First T20I | India vs England – Dec 22, 2012 |
| Last T20I | India vs England – Feb 02, 2025 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Women’s Tests
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First WTest | India Women vs Australia Women – Feb 10–13, 1984 |
| Last WTest | Australia Women vs India Women – Dec 21–24, 2023 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Women’s ODIs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First WODI | New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women – Dec 23, 1997 |
| Last WODI | Australia Women vs India Women – Jan 02, 2024 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Women’s T20Is
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First WT20I | West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women – Mar 31, 2016 |
| Last WT20I | England Women vs India Women – Dec 10, 2023 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Youth Tests (U19)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First YTest | Pakistan U19 vs India U19 – Jan 20–22, 1979 |
| Last YTest | India U19 vs England U19 – Jan 09–12, 2001 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Youth ODIs (U19)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First YODI | India U19 vs Australia U19 – Feb 17, 1985 |
| Last YODI | England U19 vs India U19 – Feb 08, 2017 |
| Records | Results • High Totals • Most Runs • Best Bowling • Most Wickets • Partnerships • Statsguru |
Continue Reading: MA Chidambaram Stadium: Pitch Report – Bowling and Batting, Records and Statistics
Why Wankhede is Special?
- Iconic Venue: Host of the 2011 World Cup Final, India’s greatest cricketing triumph.
- Sea Breeze Factor: Rare among Indian venues, adding a unique challenge for batters.
- Legends’ Ground: Home turf for Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and many more.
- Crowd Energy: The Mumbai crowd is electric, often lifting the atmosphere and pressuring opponents.
Conclusion
Wankhede Stadium is not just another cricket venue; it is the temple of cricket in India. It is India’s favourite stadium as it has hosted high-scoring games and moments like India’s World Cup win in 2011.
For batsmen, it is a paradise for showing off stroke-making; for bowlers, it is a test of skill and discipline. For fans, it is a festival of noise, colour and passion every time a match is played. As cricket continues to evolve, Wankhede Stadium will always remain in history. Even today, it is not wrong to say that it is a ground where legends were born, dreams were fulfilled and cricket fans witnessed magic.
FAQs
Q1. Is Wankhede a batting or bowling pitch?
The Wankhede pitch is mainly batting-friendly with a real bounce and short boundaries. However, the seamers have to enjoy the swing in the opening overs, and the spinners can contribute in the middle overs.
Q2. What is a good score at Wankhede Stadium?
In T20 matches, a score of over 180 is considered competitive, while in ODIs, a score of over 320 is generally considered a good score.
Q3. Does dew play a role in matches at Wankhede?
Yes, fog is a big factor in evening matches. Teams often prefer to chase in the lights because the ball becomes slippery for the bowlers.
Q4. Who has scored the most runs at Wankhede Stadium?
In international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have scored the most runs across all formats. In the IPL, Rohit Sharma has dominated as a player for Mumbai Indians.
Q5. Why is Wankhede Stadium historically significant?
It is remembered for India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup final, in which MS Dhoni hit a match-winning six. Therefore, it is an unforgettable place not only for cricketers but for India as a whole.