Mumbai cricket digs plans ‘defining moment’

Image: Wankhede Stadium, Anand Desai, CC BY 3.0

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) (India) has initiated the process of acquiring land for a new stadium in Navi Mumbai (satellite city of Mumbai [capital city of the Indian State of Maharashtra]) with a proposed capacity of 1,00,000.

‘THE TIMES OF INDIA’ stated that the MCA President Ajinkya Naik recently met the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) Managing Director (MD) Vijay Singhal and the association is optimistic about securing a suitable land parcel soon.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is the governing body for cricket in India’s Mumbai and the surrounding regions such as Thane (City in Maharashtra) and Navi Mumbai. Its headquarters is situated at the 39,000-capacity Wankhede Stadium in Churchgate.

Navi Mumbai (India)-based the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) is an Indian city planning agency and the richest Government authority in India which is formed and controlled by the Government of Maharashtra.

‘THE TIMES OF INDIA’ further stated that while land had initially been identified in Aamne near Thane it is now understood that the proposed stadium will come up near the Navi Mumbai International Airport.

Stated a source, “A cricket stadium near the Navi Mumbai airport will be convenient for all. Navi Mumbai already has an international venue – the DY Patil Stadium which has a capacity of around 46,000 and hosted the Semifinal and Final of the 2025 Women’s One Day International ODI World Cup. However, it is privately owned by the former MCA President and educationist Vijay Patil and not by the MCA.

The One Day International (ODI) is a format of cricket played between two teams with international status in which each team faces a fixed number of 50 overs with the game lasting up to seven hours. The World Cup, generally held every four years, is played in this format.

Calling the project a landmark step Naik said, “This initiative marks a defining moment for Maharashtra’s sporting ecosystem. A one lakh-capacity stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will not only elevate Mumbai cricket but also firmly position Maharashtra on the global sporting map.

Noted Naik, “This world-class infrastructure will create unparalleled opportunities for player development, provide critical exposure to the emerging talent and strengthen the cricketing ecosystem across all levels.”

At present, only the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the Indian State of Gujarat has a capacity of around one lakh spectators – in fact, it can accommodate more than that. Naik is expected to meet the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis soon to push for faster clearances.

Mumbai currently relies on the Wankhede Stadium for international and domestic matches but its capacity of 33,108 falls short of meeting demand in a city of its size. In May 2025, while inaugurating the stands named after Ajit Wadekar (Indian international cricketer), Rohit Sharma (Indian cricketer) and Sharad Pawar (Indian politician) at the Wankhede Stadium Fadnavis had assured the MCA of land for a new stadium.

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