Cricket fans in Mumbai rejoice! The iconic Wankhede Stadium is gearing up to host a Test match for the first time in three years, according to a report by the Times of India (TOI). This exciting encounter will feature India taking on New Zealand, expected to be played sometime in October or November 2024.
This upcoming match marks a significant return for Wankhede, having last hosted a Test in December 2021. Interestingly, that match also pitted India against New Zealand. That match etched itself in cricketing history with New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel achieving the remarkable feat of claiming all ten wickets in an innings. With Covid restrictions in place at the time, only a limited audience witnessed this historic moment. Despite Patel’s heroics, India recorded a massive 372-run win, which is India’s second-biggest triumph in red ball cricket (by runs).
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Wankhede Stadium eyes to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary
Interestingly, the Wankhede Stadium will celebrate it’s golden anniversary when India takes on the Kiwi outfit later this year. While the stadium hosted it’s maiden Test match back in January 1975. Since then, it has been host to as many as 26 Test matches, with India winning 12 of those.
While the official announcement awaits, the Test series between India and New Zealand, in all probability, will take place October. From November 22 onwards, the Men in Blue will travel Down Under to clash against Australia in a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.