Nestled in the heart of Bombay, the Wankhede Stadium stands as a hallowed ground where cricketing sagas unfold, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's history. This article embarks on a nostalgic journey through the hallowed halls of the Wankhede Stadium, revisiting 10 of the most thrilling and memorable matches gracing this iconic venue. From historic Test encounters to pulsating limited-overs clashes, the Wankhede has witnessed cricketing legends etch their names in glory and underdogs rise to unforeseen triumphs. It has been a witness to international and domestic games, some of which have been nail-biters. The drama, suspense, and sheer brilliance that have defined these contests, showcase the Wankhede Stadium as a crucible of unforgettable cricketing moments.
1. India Vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup Final
The Wankhede Stadium witnessed an important moment in cricket history during the 2011 ODI World Cup final, where India secured their second title. Pursuing Sri Lanka's challenging target of 274, India faced early setbacks. Yet, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni played crucial innings, steering India back into contention. While Gambhir fell shy of a century, Dhoni's unbeaten 91 proved instrumental in securing victory. Every Indian fan vividly recalls Dhoni's iconic six off Nuwan Kulasekara, a moment that resonates emotionally.
2. India Vs England, 6th ODI, 2002
In a thrilling series tied at 3-3, England orchestrated a remarkable comeback to secure a narrow 5-run victory against India. The heroics of Marcus Trescothick (95) and Andrew Flintoff (40) set a challenging target of 255. Despite early hiccups, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly fuelled India's pursuit. However, England's spirited fightback, led by Flintoff, unfolded in a dramatic final over. His crucial run-out and dismissal of Javagal Srinath sealed the win, marking a memorable moment. Notably, Flintoff's jubilant shirtless celebration is what the game is remembered for.
3. India Vs South Africa, 2000 Test
A low scoring thriller in which no team could score more than 250 runs, South Africa secured a thrilling four wicket win over India. India posted 225 in the first innings and reduced the Proteas to 176. However, the South Africans showed a spirited comeback and got India all out on just 113. Chasing 164 for the win, they faced a few hiccups but got over the line in the end.
4. India Vs Australia, 2007 ODI
In front of a packed stadium, Australia's innings crumbled dramatically from 117 for two to 193, courtesy of Murali Kartik's extraordinary spell, claiming a career-best six wickets for 27 runs. Despite Ricky Ponting's fifty, the Australian team faced a setback. India's chase started poorly, losing Ganguly and Karthik for nothing. However, Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh sparked a remarkable comeback, adding 65 runs for the seventh wicket. Zaheer Khan and Kartik, unbeaten, forged a memorable 2-wicket victory with a resilient 52-run stand.
5. India Vs Australia, 1996 World Cup
India depended mainly on Sachin Tendulkar in their World Cup group-stage match against Australia. Though Australia scored a robust 258 runs in their innings, led by Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh, India's accurate fielding resulted in five runouts, and the match was closely balanced. Tendulkar formed an essential partnership with Sanjay Manjrekar by batting aggressively. But the tide turned in Australia's favor when he was dismissed by Mark Waugh. Australia won the match by a hard-fought 16 runs thanks to a five-wicket haul by Damien Fleming.
6. India Vs New Zealand, 2023 World Cup
India scored a mammoth 397 runs thanks to an incredible batting display from all their batters. New Zealand were in trouble early as both their openers fell cheaply. However, Williamson stitched a partnership with Mitchell, and both of them scored 181 runs in total. It looked as if they would steal the game, when Mohammad Shami struck, taking seven wickets in total and propelling India to a famous win.
7. India Vs West Indies, 2011 Test
In an exciting match at the Wankhede Stadium, India and the West Indies faced off. West Indies scored a formidable 590, driven by an exceptional century from Darren Bravo. In response, R Ashwin's first Test century cut the deficit for India. India was set a target of 243 after the visitors collapsed for 134 in their second innings. India won the series 2-0 after the match ended in an exciting draw, an unusual turn of events.
8. India Vs Australia, 2004, 4th Test
India managed just 104 runs in their opening innings. Australia was limited to 203 after a counterattack from Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik. Even with a commanding 99-run lead, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman rallied to set a target of 107 runs. Australia was bowled out for 93 runs in a stunning turn of events as Murali Kartik took three wickets and Harbhajan Singh claimed a fifer. India's exciting 13-run triumph demonstrated their tenacity, as they upset the odds to win the match.
9. India Vs England, 2006 Test
Andrew Strauss's century, along with contributions from Owais Shah and Andrew Flintoff, propelled England to 400 in the first innings. James Anderson's impressive bowling limited India to 279, with only Dravid and MS Dhoni reaching fifties. Despite India's second-innings effort to bowl out England for 191, chasing 313 on the final day proved challenging. Shaun Udal's four-wicket haul played a crucial role as England secured victory.
10. MI Vs RR, 2014 IPL
In a nail-biting IPL 2014 match, Mumbai Indians executed a stunning chase against Rajasthan Royals. Facing the daunting task of scoring 190 runs in just 14.3 overs to secure a spot in the playoffs, MI pulled off a remarkable feat. Corey Anderson's explosive innings of 95 runs off 44 balls laid the groundwork for the extraordinary turnaround. The tension peaked when Aditya Tare smashed a last-ball six, turning the seemingly impossible into reality.
