(Source X)
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is gearing up to construct a new cricket stadium in Mumbai, designed to accommodate up to 100,000 spectators. As reported in the Times of India on Sunday (July 7), the MCA plans to establish this stadium in Thane district, approximately 68 kilometers from the current Wankhede Stadium.
The proposed site for the new stadium spans 50 acres of open land in Amane village. MCA has already participated in the tender process initiated by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to acquire this land and awaits approval from the Maharashtra government to proceed with the project.
This ambitious stadium project holds special significance as it was a cherished vision of the late former MCA President Amol Kale, who recently passed away.
News of the stadium initiative surfaced shortly after Maharashtra’s deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the need for Mumbai, an iconic city, to boast a larger stadium during a felicitation ceremony for Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the Maharashtra state assembly.
“We have one of the historic stadiums in Mumbai in the form of Wankhede Stadium. Ashish Ji (BCCI treasurer and BJP MLA Ashish Shelar) is here. Mumbai needs a bigger stadium than Wankhede. Therefore, in the near future, our chief minister will extend all possible help to MCA and BCCI. Wankhede is a historic stadium and cannot be compared to any other. But it is time to give Mumbai a stadium with a capacity of more than one lakh,” said Fadnavis.
Currently, Mumbai hosts three renowned international cricket stadiums: Wankhede Stadium with a capacity of 33,000 spectators, Brabourne Stadium accommodating 20,000 fans, and DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, which can hold up to 45,000 people.
The historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been the prestigious venue for several memorable cricket matches. It hosted the 2011 ODI World Cup final and the first semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Additionally, it was the site of the second semi-final matches during the 1987 ODI World Cup and the 2016 T20 World Cup.
