Wankhede Stadium Mumbai — Cricket History, Records & the 2011 World Cup Final
Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is India's most glamorous cricket venue. Learn about its history, the iconic 2011 World Cup final, batting records, and why it produces flat tracks that batters love.
Wankhede Stadium, located in Marine Lines, Mumbai, is one of India's most iconic cricket grounds and the home stadium of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL. Built in 1974 and named after S.K. Wankhede, a former BCCI president, the stadium has a capacity of approximately 33,000 and occupies a unique spot in South Mumbai — just kilometres from the Arabian Sea, which has historically contributed to pace and swing in certain conditions.
The 2011 World Cup Final
Wankhede Stadium's defining moment came on 2 April 2011, when India defeated Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup Final — played on home soil in Mumbai. Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a six off Nuwan Kulasekara to finish the match and complete India's chase of 275 with 10 balls to spare. Dhoni scored 91* off 79 balls, and India won by 6 wickets. The celebration — in a packed Wankhede, under floodlights, with Dhoni's six disappearing into the night sky — is the single most iconic moment in Indian cricket history and one of the most-watched sporting moments globally.
Batting-friendly surface
Wankhede is known for producing flat, batting-friendly pitches that offer little assistance to spinners and moderate assistance to pace bowling. High scores are common — ODI averages at Wankhede are consistently above 260 for the side batting first. IPL matches at Wankhede regularly produce 180+ totals, and the ground's relatively small boundaries (particularly square of the wicket) favour powerful hitting. This makes Wankhede one of the most exciting high-scoring venues in cricket.
Mumbai Indians and IPL at Wankhede
Mumbai Indians (MI) are the most successful IPL franchise by titles (5 championships as of 2023), and Wankhede has been central to their dominance. The combination of a cricket-educated Mumbai crowd, the ground's batting-friendly nature, and MI's star-studded squads has made Wankhede one of the most formidable home environments in the IPL. Sachin Tendulkar, who played at Wankhede for Mumbai in domestic cricket and India in international cricket, is synonymous with the ground.
Sachin Tendulkar's home ground
Wankhede is uniquely associated with Sachin Tendulkar, who was born in Mumbai and played his domestic cricket for Mumbai at this venue. His final Test match — the 200th of his career — was played at Wankhede in November 2013 against West Indies, ending with Tendulkar's famous farewell speech delivered from the middle of the ground. A stand at Wankhede is named the Sachin Tendulkar Stand in his honour.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final at Wankhede?
India defeated Sri Lanka in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final at Wankhede Stadium on 2 April 2011. Chasing 275, MS Dhoni came in at No. 5 and hit an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls, finishing the match with a six off Nuwan Kulasekara. India won by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare. It remains the defining moment in Indian cricket history.
Which IPL team plays at Wankhede Stadium?
Mumbai Indians (MI) play their home IPL matches at Wankhede Stadium. MI are the most successful IPL franchise by titles and have a strong home record at Wankhede. The ground has been central to MI's dominance throughout the IPL era.
What is the capacity of Wankhede Stadium?
Wankhede Stadium has a capacity of approximately 33,000. It is smaller than Eden Gardens (66,000) or the Narendra Modi Stadium (132,000), but its location in South Mumbai — near the Arabian Sea — and its prestige as the home of the 2011 World Cup Final give it a prominence beyond its size.