Brabourne Stadium is known for delivering thrilling matches and its pitch is ideal for batting. Additionally, its boundary length has been kept as short as possible for this tournament.
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About Brabourne Stadium
The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai is one of India’s most iconic cricket stadiums, built in 1937 with a capacity for 25,000 spectators and designed by Neville De Mello as an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture – one not to be missed when visiting Mumbai! This ground serves as home ground of both Mumbai cricket team and Mumbai Indians IPL franchise and regularly hosts domestic cricket matches as well. Designed by Neville De Mello as one of his signature designs; visitors to Mumbai must visit this building!
The Brabourne Stadium was constructed in the south of Mumbai near Churchgate railway station on land that had been reclaimed from the sea, on an area originally used for multi-sport activities like International Tennis tournaments, dog racing events and Rovers Cup football matches. Over time it has evolved into an eventful arena hosting dog races and Rovers Cup football games among other things. Since 2009 however, it has also hosted T20I internationals; and later that same year held another Test match after 36 years; an unprecedented record.
Brabourne Stadium has played host to more than just cricket matches over its history; in particular it was used as the site for high-profile speeches by Jawaharlal Nehru at a NUS convention in 1950 and Nikita Khrushchev during ICC silver jubilee celebrations in 1965. Additionally it hosted centenary celebrations of Indian National Congress.
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History
- The Brabourne Stadium was originally built as a replacement for the Bombay Gymkhana Ground.
- It was named after the then-Governor of Bombay, Lord Brabourne, who was also the president of the CCI at the time.
- The stadium was used for international cricket matches until the Wankhede Stadium was built in 1975.
- The Brabourne Stadium underwent a major renovation in 2006, which included the construction of new stands, the
installation of floodlights, and the creation of world-class facilities for players and spectators.
Facilities and Infrastructure
- The stadium has a modern pavilion that includes locker rooms, media facilities, and VIP seating areas.
- The seating capacity of the stadium is around 25,000, and there are separate stands for members, public, and VIPs.
- The stadium has also been equipped with floodlights, making it possible to host day/night matches.
- The ground has a lush green outfield and a well-maintained pitch that provides an excellent playing surface for cricket matches.
Pitch
Brabourne Stadium has played host to some high-scoring encounters during the WPL’s inaugural phase, drawing large crowds due to its fast bowling and favorable batting conditions, leading to numerous high-scoring matches attracted by its fast bowling. Furthermore, it offers stunning views of Mumbai skyline from its stadium’s seats as well as great viewing platforms with an available capacity of up to 20,000 people – as well as floodlights for extra illumination!
This stadium boasts a long legacy in Indian cricket. Constructed in 1937 and owned by the Cricket Club of India (CCI), it serves as the home ground of Mumbai men’s and women’s cricket teams and regularly hosts domestic and international cricket matches; additionally it is the primary stadium of inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals.
Though not considered a test-ground, this venue has hosted two one day internationals in its past. Most notably in 2014 it hosted an eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings; where CSK triumphed. Furthermore, it’s become popular with cricket enthusiasts, hosting a variety of celebrity events all throughout the year.
Last match at Brabourne Stadium saw high scoring action: Harmanpreet Kaur scored 50, Yastika Bhatia and Nat Sciver-Brunt both hit 30s; however, recently, batsmen have found the pitch more challenging with only 162 team totals being recorded there so far.
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Boundary length
Brabourne Stadium tends to favour spin bowlers while occasionally permitting swing bowlers. As its proximity to the sea provides some bounce throughout the day and short boundaries make scoring runs easier for batsmen. Dew factor is also an important consideration during limited-over matches; teams that win the toss typically opt to bowl first.
Notable Matches and Events
- Brabourne Stadium has hosted many significant matches in the history of Indian cricket, including the first Test match played by India after gaining independence from British rule in 1947.
- The stadium has also been the venue for many One Day International (ODI) matches, including the final of the 1987 World Cup, where Australia defeated England to win their first World Cup.
- In addition to cricket, the stadium has also hosted other sporting events such as football, hockey, and boxing.
Records and statistics
- First Test
India v West Indies – Dec 9-13, 1948
- Last Test
India v Sri Lanka – Dec 2-6, 2009
- First ODI
Australia v Pakistan – Oct 23, 1989
- Last ODI
India v West Indies – Oct 29, 2018
- Only T20I
India v Australia – Oct 20, 2007
FAQs
Q: Which teams have played at Brabourne Stadium?
A: Brabourne Stadium has hosted both domestic and international cricket matches. The Indian cricket team has played several matches at the stadium, as have international teams such as Australia, England, and Sri Lanka.
Q: What is the seating capacity of Brabourne Stadium?
A: The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 25,000 spectators.
Q: Is Brabourne Stadium only used for cricket matches?
A: While cricket is the primary sport played at the stadium, it has also hosted other events such as concerts and political rallies.
Q: Is Brabourne Stadium owned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)?
A: No, the stadium is owned by the Cricket Club of India (CCI), which is one of the oldest cricket clubs in India. However, the BCCI often uses the stadium for important matches.
Q: Has Brabourne Stadium ever hosted a World Cup match?
A: No, the stadium has not hosted a World Cup match. However, it has hosted matches during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, which was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Q: Can visitors take a tour of Brabourne Stadium?
A: Yes, visitors can take a tour of the stadium by contacting the Cricket Club of India. The tour includes a visit to the pavilion, dressing rooms, and the media center.
Q: How do I get to Brabourne Stadium?
A: The stadium is located in the heart of Mumbai, near the Churchgate railway station. Visitors can also take a taxi or bus to the stadium.