Top 5 Iconic Moments at Wankhede Stadium

Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, is one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world. It’s like a magical playground where cricket stars like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni have created unforgettable moments.

If you’re a kid who loves cricket, this guide will tell you about the top five iconic moments at Wankhede Stadium in a way that’s super easy for a 10-year-old to understand.

We’ll explain why these moments are so special. Let’s jump into the exciting history of Wankhede!

What Is Wankhede Stadium?

Wankhede Stadium is a big cricket ground in Mumbai, right by the Arabian Sea. Built in 1974, it can hold about 33,000 fans and is home to the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It’s also hosted huge events like the 2011 Cricket World Cup final and T20 matches.

The stadium is named after a famous cricket official, S.K. Wankhede, and it’s known for its loud fans, bright floodlights, and a pitch that helps batters hit big sixes. Here are the top five moments that make Wankhede a legendary place!

1. MS Dhoni’s Six to Win the 2011 World Cup

What Happened: On April 2, 2011, Wankhede Stadium hosted the Cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka. India was chasing 275 runs to win their first World Cup since 1983.

After a tough start, Gautam Gambhir scored 97, and MS Dhoni, India’s captain, played a super cool innings of 91 not out. In the 49th over, with India needing just 4 runs, Dhoni hit a massive six off Nuwan Kulasekara.

The ball sailed over the boundary, and India won by 6 wickets! The crowd went wild, and commentator Ravi Shastri shouted, “Dhoni finishes it off in style!” This moment ended India’s 28-year wait for a World Cup title.

Why It’s Iconic: This was India’s biggest cricket moment in years, and Dhoni’s six is one of the most famous shots ever. Fans still talk about it!

For Kids: Imagine hitting a home run to win a huge game for your team—that’s what Dhoni’s six felt like!

Fun Fact: Wankhede was packed with 33,000 fans waving Indian flags, and fireworks lit up the Mumbai sky after the win.

2. Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th International Century (2012)

What Happened: On March 16, 2012, during an Asia Cup match against Bangladesh, Sachin Tendulkar did something no other cricketer has ever done—he scored his 100th international century (100 runs in a match). Playing at Wankhede, his home stadium, Sachin batted carefully and reached 100 runs with a single. The crowd roared, and fans held up banners saying “Sachin 100!” Even though India lost the match, this moment was huge because Sachin, called the “God of Cricket,” made history in front of his Mumbai fans.

Why It’s Iconic: Sachin’s 100 centuries (49 in Tests, 51 in ODIs) is a world record, and doing it at Wankhede made it extra special for Mumbai.

For Kids: Picture scoring 100 goals in soccer, but doing it 100 times—that’s how amazing Sachin’s record is!

Fun Fact: Sachin grew up in Mumbai and played for Mumbai Indians at Wankhede, so the fans treated him like a king.

3. Mumbai Indians’ First IPL Title (2013)

What Happened: On May 26, 2013, Wankhede Stadium hosted the IPL final between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). MI, led by Rohit Sharma, was playing at home and chasing their first IPL trophy. MI bowled first and restricted CSK to 148 runs, thanks to super bowling by Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh. In the chase, MI struggled but Kieron Pollard’s quick 60 off 32 balls turned the game. MI won by 23 runs, and Wankhede erupted with cheers as Mumbai finally won the IPL!

Why It’s Iconic: This was MI’s first of five IPL titles (as of 2024), and winning at home made it a huge party for Mumbai fans.

For Kids: Imagine your favorite team winning a big championship in your city—that’s how Mumbai felt when MI won!

Fun Fact: The MI fans chanted “MI, MI!” so loud that players said it gave them extra energy to win.

4. India’s 500th Test Match and Victory (2016)

What Happened: In December 2016, Wankhede Stadium hosted India’s 500th Test match, a huge milestone, against England. India, led by Virat Kohli, batted first and scored a massive 631 runs, with Kohli smashing 235 and Murali Vijay scoring 136. The crowd cheered every boundary! India’s spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, then bowled brilliantly, taking key wickets. India won by an innings and 36 runs, making their 500th Test a memorable victory at Wankhede.

Why It’s Iconic: Playing 500 Test matches is like a school celebrating its 500th birthday, and winning at Wankhede made it extra special.

For Kids: Think of playing 500 games and winning the biggest one in front of your home crowd—that’s what India did!

Fun Fact: Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match, and fans chanted his name like he was a rock star.

5. Ravi Shastri’s Six Sixes in a Domestic Match (1985)

What Happened: Before Wankhede became famous for international matches, it hosted a domestic Ranji Trophy match in January 1985 between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Baroda. Ravi Shastri, a young all-rounder, did something incredible—he hit six sixes in one over off bowler Tilak Raj! Shastri scored 200 runs in just 113 balls, the fastest double-century in first-class cricket at the time. The Wankhede crowd went crazy, and this moment made Shastri a star long before he became India’s coach.

Why It’s Iconic: Hitting six sixes in an over is super rare—Yuvraj Singh did it later in 2007—and doing it at Wankhede put the stadium on the map.

For Kids: Imagine hitting the ball out of the park six times in a row, like a video game cheat code—that’s what Shastri did!

Fun Fact: This moment happened before floodlights were added, so fans watched in daylight, cheering every huge hit.

Why Wankhede Is Perfect for Iconic Moments

Wankhede Stadium is special for many reasons that make these moments possible:

• Batter-Friendly Pitch: The pitch at Wankhede helps batters hit big shots, like Dhoni’s six or Sachin’s century. It’s flat and fast, so balls go far for fours and sixes.
• Loud Mumbai Fans: Mumbai loves cricket, and the 33,000 fans at Wankhede cheer like crazy, making every big moment feel even bigger.
• Location by the Sea: Near the Arabian Sea, Wankhede has a cool breeze and a fun vibe, with the famous Marine Drive nearby.
• Modern Facilities: With big screens, comfy seats, and floodlights, Wankhede is great for day and night games, adding to the excitement.
• Home of Mumbai Indians: MI’s success (five IPL titles) and stars like Rohit Sharma make Wankhede a hotspot for IPL fans.

For Kids: Think of Wankhede as a giant playground by the beach where cricket stars do amazing things, and fans cheer like it’s a party!

Other Cool Moments at Wankhede

Wankhede has seen many other exciting moments:

• 2011 World Cup Semi-Final: India beat Pakistan at Wankhede to reach the 2011 World Cup final, with Sachin Tendulkar scoring 85.
• Sachin’s Last Ranji Match (2013): Sachin played his final domestic match for Mumbai at Wankhede, and fans gave him a huge farewell.
• Mumbai Indians’ 2015 IPL Win: MI won their second IPL title at Wankhede, beating CSK again, with Lendl Simmons starring.

These moments add to Wankhede’s legacy as a place where cricket history is made.

How Wankhede Helps Fantasy Cricket

If you play fantasy cricket on apps like Dream11 or My11Circle, Wankhede is a key stadium:

• Pick Batters: The pitch is great for big scores, so choose players like Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan for MI games.
• Choose All-Rounders: Players like Hardik Pandya, who bat and bowl, can earn points in both ways at Wankhede.
• Check Weather: Mumbai’s sunny weather helps batters, but humidity can assist bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah. Check AccuWeather before picking your team.

For Kids: Playing fantasy cricket is like building your own superhero team, and Wankhede is where your heroes score big!

How Kids Can Enjoy Wankhede Stadium

Here are fun ways for kids to love Wankhede:

• Watch Matches: See MI or India games on Star Sports or JioCinema to feel the Wankhede vibe. Look for replays of Dhoni’s six or Sachin’s century!
• Visit with Family: Ask a parent to take you to an IPL match at Wankhede—it’s like a cricket festival with fans chanting “MI, MI!”
• Play Fantasy Cricket: Join free fantasy leagues on Dream11 and pick MI stars like Rohit Sharma for Wankhede matches.
• Learn Chants: Practice MI’s chant “Mumbai Cha Raja!” (Mumbai’s King) to cheer at home.
• Explore History: Check ESPN Cricinfo or Cricbuzz for videos and stories about Wankhede’s big moments.

Why Wankhede Stands Out

Compared to other stadiums like Eden Gardens (Kolkata) or Chepauk (Chennai), Wankhede is special for its batter-friendly pitch, Mumbai’s cricket-crazy fans, and its history of hosting World Cup finals. It’s smaller than Eden Gardens (66,000 seats) but feels electric because fans are so close to the action. The sea breeze and city skyline make it a beautiful place to watch cricket. Wankhede’s moments, like Dhoni’s six and Sachin’s century, are part of India’s cricket story.

Wankhede and the 2026 T20 World Cup

India will co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, and Wankhede is likely to host big matches, maybe even a semi-final or final. Its history of hosting the 2011 World Cup and T20 internationals makes it a top choice. Fans from around the world will come to cheer, and the stadium will be buzzing with excitement.

• Fun Fact: Wankhede hosted T20 matches in 2016, including a semi-final where West Indies beat India, so it’s ready for 2026!
• For Kids: Picture Wankhede filled with fans from different countries, all cheering for the T20 World Cup—it’s like a global cricket party!

Conclusion

Wankhede Stadium is a magical place where cricket dreams come true, and its top five iconic moments prove it. MS Dhoni’s six to win the 2011 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th century, Mumbai Indians’ first IPL title in 2013, India’s 500th Test win in 2016, and Ravi Shastri’s six sixes in 1985 are moments that make fans cheer and cry.

With its batter-friendly pitch, loud Mumbai fans, and cool location by the sea, Wankhede is perfect for big cricket moments. Whether you’re watching MI in the IPL, playing fantasy cricket, or hoping to visit for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Wankhede’s legacy will make you love cricket even more. So, grab your friends, chant “MI, MI!” and celebrate the amazing history of Wankhede Stadium!