Groundsmen work on the pitch ahead of 2nd test cricket match between India and New Zealand, at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. (PTI File Photo)
The MCA’s request comes after Wankhede was allotted only one international match in India’s 2026-27 home season. The stadium will host the third and final ODI between India and Zimbabwe on January 9 next year. The MCA, which celebrated the Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary in January 2025, has pointed out that the venue is a permanent Test Centre and has asked the BCCI to consider giving it more international matches. The request comes after the BCCI announced a couple of days ago that the 2027 Women’s Premier League will be held at the Brabourne Stadium, which is operated by the Cricket Club of India, from January 14 to February 27. Brabourne Stadium is located around 750 metres from Wankhede. The tournament is scheduled to be held from February 14 to 28. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines MCA seeks Under-17 girls’ tournament The MCA has also asked the BCCI to introduce an Under-17 girls’ tournament in its domestic cricket calendar. The BCCI currently conducts a Girls Under-15 tournament, with the next age-group competitions starting at the Under-19 level. “The MCA requests the BCCI to consider introducing a structured Under-17 Girls Cricket Tournament at the national level.
The MCA said being informed in advance would help it deal with queries from its members and other stakeholders and coordinate with the organisations involved in staging matches in Mumbai. “We request the Board to give due consideration to the above matters and look forward to a positive response,” Khanvilkar concluded in his letter. MUMBAI: The Mumbai Cricket Association has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) to allot more international matches to the Wankhede Stadium in future schedules, while also seeking to be informed before matches are awarded to other venues in Mumbai. The request was made during the 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BCCI at its headquarters on the Wankhede Stadium premises. MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar submitted a letter, a copy of which is with TOI, putting forward the association’s demands. “The MCA sincerely thanks the BCCI for the international matches allotted to Mumbai over the years and for its continued confidence in the Association’s hosting capabilities. As the Wankhede Stadium is a permanent Test Centre with a proud history of successfully staging marquee international fixtures, MCA would be grateful if the BCCI could consider allotting a greater number of international matches to the venue in future programmes. We remain committed to providing the highest standards of facilities and match operations for players, officials, and spectators alike,” Khanvilkar has written. The MCA has also asked the BCCI to inform the association before awarding matches to stadiums and venues located within its jurisdiction, which includes Mumbai. The International Cricket Council has also recently awarded the inaugural Women’s T20 Champions Trophy matches to Brabourne Stadium. “The MCA would be grateful if, as a matter of courtesy, the Association could be kept informed whenever matches are scheduled at stadiums or venues located within its jurisdiction. Such communication would assist MCA in addressing queries from its members and stakeholders and would help foster smooth coordination and cooperation among all concerned,” the MCA has stated in its letter. Such a tournament would provide an important competitive platform for young female cricketers, strengthen the talent development pathway, and further support the growth of women’s cricket across the country,” Khanvilkar has stated in his letter. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.