Bombay Gymkhana

Bombay Gymkhana established in 1875,[1] is one of the premiere gymkhanas (sports arena) in the city of Mumbai, India. Bombay Gymkhana Rugby Club (rugby union) are tenants.

Bombay Gymkhana
Esplanade Maidan
Azad Maidan
Picture of the Bombay Gymkhana
Ground information
LocationSouth Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Establishment19 June 1875
Capacity15,000 (but has held up to 50,000)
OwnerBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
ArchitectClaude Batley
OperatorBombay Gymkhana
TenantsIndian Rugby Team
Local Clubs
End names
n/a
International information
Only Test15 December, 1933:
 India v  England
As of 12 August 2015
Source: Bombay Gymkhana Ground, Cricinfo

It is located in the South Mumbai area and was originally built as a British-only club, designed by English architect, Claude Batley.[2]

The Gymkhana Grounds lie in the southern end of the Azad Maidan. The ground itself is on leased property. It has a triangular area, with the southern end facing the VSNL building. MG Road and H Somal Marg are the two roads on either end that begin from the southern end. It is boxed in by a shortcut lane which connects Churchgate to Victoria Terminus.

Sports

A long building which serves as the lobby, table tennis area, badminton court, restaurant and lounge connects the two roads. The region between the building and the lane is a large ground. It is very difficult to get membership into this exclusive club.[3]

Cricket is played here in the winter months, and rugby and football in the monsoon months. This used to be major centre for the erstwhile Bombay Pentangular cricket matches. The ground had the distinction of hosting India's first Test cricket match on 15 December 1933,[4] captained by CK Nayudu. Temporary stands were put up at the ground to accommodate a record crowd of 50,000 people, with tickets selling at five times their usual price.[5] The match is remembered for Lala Amarnaths century, noted to be one of the best innings played in Indian cricket.[6] It hasn't hosted any senior matches since the Brabourne Stadium took its place in 1937, replacing the ground as the venue for the Bombay Pentangular as well as international matches.[7]

The ground also has the distinction for hosting the first ever International Test Cricket match played by the disabled on 10 December 2002. This first ever Test cricket match of disabled was played between India and England. The match was of one day duration and India had won the match.

The Australian cricket team used the grounds to practice prior to their clash with India in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. In 2004, the Indian Women's team played a One Day International versus the Australian Women's team at Bombay Gymkhana.[8] In March 2010, Mumbai Indians played a practice match at the ground ahead of the IPL Season.[9] Later in the year, Canada played a match against a Bombay Gymkhana team to prepare of the World Cup in 2011.[10]

The ground also hosts a national rugby competition, and has recently hosted matches against Sri Lanka and a few other South Asian teams as a part of the HSBC Sevens Asia circuit. It has also hosted national and international squash tournaments.

Bombay Gymkhana houses three badminton courts, five squash courts, six tennis courts, six tables for billiards and snooker, one swimming pool and a fitness centre.[1]

Until a few years ago, only men could gain membership to the club. Women were able to join from the early 2000s.

Flag of Bombay Gymkhana

Road widening controversy

The BMC wants to widen the adjacent Hazarimal Somani Marg from 50 to 80 feet and required about 6000 feet of land from the Bombay Gymkhana.[11] The gymkhana has been contesting the proposal stating its heritage status.[1] The Gymkhana has also been slapped with charges for illegally constructing additional buildings including a CEO's bungalow and wine shop.[12]

International Centuries

Tests

This is the list of centuries scored in Test matches at Bombay Gymkhana, Mumbai[13]

No.ScorePlayerTeamInns.Opposing teamDateResult
1136Bryan Valentine England2 India15 December 1933Won
2118Lala Amarnath India3 England15 December 1933Lost

List of Five Wicket Hauls

Tests

Two five wicket hauls in Test matches have been taken at the venue.[14]

No. Bowler Date Team Opposing team Inn Overs Runs Wkts Econ Result
1Mohammad Nissar15 December 1933 India England233.59052.66Lost
2Stan Nichols15 December 1933 England India323.55552.30Won

See also

References
  1. Sarkar, Arita (21 August 2016). "Once Upon A Time: Bombay Gymkhana was first club to bring multiple sports together". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  2. "Bombay gymkhana plans to shut kitchens: The History". Mid Day. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  3. "New clubs on the block". Daily News and Analysis. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  4. "Gymkhana Ground: Test Matches". ESPN Cricinfo. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  5. "When Test cricket came to India". ESPNCricinfo. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  6. "Pure romantic, Byron of Indian cricket". The Hindu. 6 August 2000. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  7. Anandji Dossa, Vasant Raiji (1987). CCI & the Brabourne Stadium, 1937-1987. Cricket Club of India. pp. 29–30.
  8. "Mithali Raj steers India home". ESPNCricinfo. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  9. "Tendulkar rewinds time at the Bombay Gymkhana". ESPNCricinfo. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  10. "Canada to tour India for World Cup preparations". ESPNCricinfo. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  11. "Mumbai: BMC wants 6,000 sq m of Bombay Gymkhana land". Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  12. "Bombay Gymkhana row: CEO's bungalow, wine shop built without nod, says Collector". 11 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  13. "Statistics - Statsguru - Test Matches - Batting Records". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  14. "Statistics - Statsguru - Test Matches - Bowling Records". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 September 2019.

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