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The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is reportedly going to host one of three Tests of the upcoming India versus New Zealand series later this year, to mark their 50th anniversary. Notably, the iconic cricket venue had hosted its first Test in January 1975, when India played against West Indies, which the visitors won, to take the five-match series 3-2.
The last Test match hosted by the Wankhede Stadium in men’s cricket was in December of 2021, in which India defeated New Zealand by 372 runs, to clinch the two-match series 1-0. But, this Test match is most remembered for Ajaz Patel, the left-arm spinner from New Zealand, who became the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble, to pick up all 10 wickets in an innings, registering figures of 119/10 in 47.5 against the formidable Indian batting lineup.
Wankhede Stadium to host IND vs NZ Test to mark 50th anniversary: Reports
As per the report from Times of India, the Wankhede Stadium will be welcoming India and New Zealand during October and November of this year for one of three Test matches of the series. This tour will be a part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2024-25 cycle, and it’s expected to be a key determiner of the two finalists for next year’s clash at the Lord’s in London.
Notably, in the last three years, there has been only one Test match hosted at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a women’s match between India and Australia last December, which the hosts won. Although there hasn’t been much Test cricket played at this venue in recent times, the five matches of the ODI World Cup 2023 including the semi-final, did make up for the appetite of cricket fans in Mumbai to some extent.
Moreover, since 2004, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has yet to have Australia play a Test match against India in men’s cricket.
