Home
On March 26, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the men's team schedule for the home season featuring 22 games including nine ODIs, eight T20Is and five Tests. The five Tests are part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next year. Despite being an iconic venue, the Wankhede Stadium faced the snub again. Instead, it will host just one ODI which is part of the three-ODI series against Zimbabwe. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik did not criticise BCCI's rotation policy for venues and feels that the apex board should be asked why Wankhede Stadium wasn't considered, not him.
"I can speak for the MCA. Whatever decisions we need to take as an Apex Council, we take them at the MCA. As for the BCCI, you will have to ask the office-bearers - I can't answer that," Naik told Cricbuzz on the sidelines a felicitation function at Khar Gymkhana where MCA was honoured as the best state association by the BCCI for third time in a row.
ALSO READ: India beat Pakistan 3-0 in SAFF U20 Championship opener, qualify for semifinals
The last time Wankhede Stadium hosted an India-Australia Test was in 2004. India won the Test by 13 runs under Rahul Dravid's captaincy, their only win in the series.
No BGT Test but a historic ODI
While Wankhede Stadium will get just one ODI in the 2026-27 season, it will be a historic one. India are hosting Zimbabwe for an ODI series for the first time in over two decades. Naik is content with whatever games Wankhede Stadium is allotted as he aims to work towards betterment of the game.
"For us, all matches are important-whether it is a Ranji Trophy game, an international fixture, an Indian Premier League match or even a club game. All matches are the same for us," Naik said.
"We are happy that cricket is happening in Mumbai, and we will continue to work for the betterment of the game. That's it," he added.
When Wankhede hosted IND vs ZIM World Cup match nearly 4 decades ago
The The last time India played Zimbabwe at Wankhede Stadium was in ODI World Cup 1987. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 135. India registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win.
ADVERTISEMENT
