Mumbai cricket trail: Buffs to get a tour around SoBo maidans, stadiums

Police Gymkhana
The Police, Hindu, Islam and Parsi Gymkhanas are considered to be the nurseries of Mumbai cricket. The land for these gymkhanas was granted by the government to the leading communities of the city, who also participated in the Quadrangular and Pentangular series. They continue to host inter-school and college matches, apart from club matches, to date.

Brabourne Stadium
The stadium is named after the then Governor of Bombay, Lord Brabourne, who granted the highly prized reclaimed land to the Cricket Club of India (CCI). The club was formed in Delhi, but was looking for space in Mumbai, which was considered to be the home of cricket. The first Test match was played here in 1948. The famous Pentangular series played between the British, Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and The Rest teams was moved here from the Bombay Gymkhana.

wankhede Stadium
There was always a tussle for seats and revenue between the private CCI and the then Bombay Cricket Association (BCA). To solve this, the BCA established the stadium under the leadership of Seshrao Wankhede, who headed the BCA then. The revamped stadium hosted several matches including the final of the 2011 World Cup which, was won by India.

Azad Maidan
In 1848, Oriental Cricket Club set up by the Parsis became the first cricket club to be started by an Indian community. The Azad Maidan was known as Esplanade at the time. There was a time when 22 matches would be played simultaneously on its 22 pitches. The first Test match on Indian soil was played at the Bombay Gymkhana in December 1933, (England won). International players would travel by ship, and Mumbai was the first port of call. The Gymkhana's ground was the only maintained ground in the city then. These maidans continue to host inter-school, college and office matches. Most leading cricketers of Mumbai, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, have played on these maidans.

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