The renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been shortlisted to host one of the semi-finals, while Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the opening clash and final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is likely to start from February 07 and end just more than a month later on March 8. Ahmedabad had hosted both the marquee games of the 2023 World Cup as well.

The reports of the Indian Express have reckoned that if there were a semi-final clash between India and Pakistan, then the encounter would take place in Colombo, while the second semi-final fixture will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka, being the co-host of the tournament, will feature in seven venues between the two countries.

See Also: South Africa A registers massive record against India A during 2nd unofficial Test in Bengaluru

While Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are likely to host the Indian leg of the tournament, Sri Lanka will use the three venues. It has been understood that apart from the Premadasa Stadium and Kandy stadium in Pallekele, one of Dambulla and Hambantota will be the host venues.

Wankhede Stadium to host T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal; Narendra Modi Stadium set for final

There is no clarity on the warm-up games. However, there are chances that Bengaluru might get a few warm-up fixtures. The Indian board is yet to decide whether they would host the warm-up games in the Centre of Excellence (CoE) or the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Blue Brigade is anticipated to play in major cities- Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the schedule in the upcoming few days. The meeting would be among the top BCCI officials. While the number of venues will be fewer for the 2023 World Cup, each venue is expected to get at least six games each.

The BCCI has made it clear that the Blue Brigade is going to face Pakistan only in Sri Lanka, according to the pre-signed agreement. Both the BCCI and the PCB agreed to play each other in the ICC events only in a neutral venue. The BCCI, as reported, has submitted the schedule to the ICC.

On June 8, 2025, the Arcs Andheri (AA) are set to clash with Eagle Thane Strikers(ETS) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Scheduled for 2:30 PM IST, this exciting afternoon fixture presents a vital opportunity for both teams to pick up momentum as the tournament progresses. Weather and pitch conditions are expected to play a significant role in shaping the match’s outcome.

Match Information 

• Date: June 8, 2025 
• Time: 2:30 PM IST 
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai 
• Win% % Batting First: 45% 
• Win% % Bowling first: 55% 

Weather Report

Mumbai is expected to be warm and humid with a temperature of 28.4 degrees C. There is only a 65% chance of rain;  interruptions are possible, but nothing substantial should stop play. Humidity is forecast to be high (82%), which may impact stamina and grip later in the afternoon, while the light winds should have little effect on play. 

• Temperature: 28.4 °C
• Winds: Gentle breeze, little to no impact on play
• Precipitation: 65% chance of rain, limited interruptions possible
• Humidity: High (82%) could affect endurance and ball control

Also Read: TNPL 2025: CSG vs NRK, 6th Match Prediction, Who will win today?

Pitch Report

The Wankhede Stadium pitch is still a batter-friendly batting surface. Due to its true bounce and even carry, expect considerable runs, high scores, and aggressive stroke play. The pacers may find some movement early, particularly with high cloud cover, while the spinners will come into play once the surface dries in the back half of the innings. The short square boundaries are well suited for high-scoring matches and aggressive stroke play.

• Bowlers - Balanced Early movement for pacers; Great for stroke play
• Spinners: most likely will come into play in the middle overs; slow pitch
• Dimensions: short square boundaries—well suited for big hitters.

Venue Records:

Highest Team: 242/4 by Uttar Pradesh
Lowest Team: 86/10  Manipur
Average First Innings Score: Approx. 147 Runs.

On a day filled with legacy, emotion, and celebration, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma reminded everyone that even the biggest stars have relatable family moments. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored Rohit in a grand ceremony on Friday, renaming the Divecha Level 3 Stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in his name — a tribute to one of Mumbai’s finest cricketing products. But in the midst of all the admiration and emotional moments, a lighter exchange with his brother took away the limelight on social media.

While Rohit was ready to exit the stadium with his family following the ceremony, a video caught an off-camera moment that the fans couldn't help but laugh about. Seeing a scratch on his car, the visibly irritated Rohit turned to his brother, Vishal Sharma, and snapped, "Ye kya hai?" Vishal, a bit sheepishly, replied, "Reverse mein lag gaya." That was all Rohit needed to give a classic death stare — long, speechless, and side-splitting. Fans online quickly caught on to the familiar brotherly brotherhood, filling social media with laughing comments.

Luckily, everything was in good faith. The two brothers had a good laugh over this soon enough, reflecting their close relationship as Rohit assisted his dad into the car — wrapping up the night in a heartwarming family moment.

Rohit to his brother Vishal🗣️- "yeh kya hai?” (rohit spots car damage)

Vishal 🗣️- “reverse mein”

Rohit🗣️- “kiska? tere se?”😅

The bond between Rohit Sharma and his brother.🫂😂 pic.twitter.com/j5mZhjua2Y

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) May 16, 2025

Also read: IPL 2025: RCB vs KKR – Player Battles to Watch Out For

A Rohit Sharma Named Stand

Earlier in the day, Rohit and his family were feted at an emotional ceremony where Divecha Level 3 Stand was officially renamed the "Rohit Sharma Stand." The MCA's move is a testament to Rohit's lasting impact on Mumbai and Indian cricket. His parents, wife Ritika Sajdeh, and close friends were all present at the ceremony — a proud moment in his illustrious career.

It will be a peculiar experience on the 21st when I return here and play for Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians," Rohit explained to ANI. "It will become even more special when I return here in the Indian jersey."

Crunch Time for Mumbai Indians

As Rohit soaks in individual glory, the attention soon returns to the work at hand. Mumbai Indians are on the threshold of a playoff push, and only two league games lie ahead — against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. Both the games are must-win if MI are to remain in contention for the playoffs, and Rohit's leadership and form will be paramount in helping the team navigate this high-pressure period.

Whether it's the stress of playoff qualification or a dent on his car, Rohit Sharma keeps demonstrating that he approaches each situation — big or small — with genuineness and heart.

During a touching and funny moment at the unveiling of the ‘Rohit Sharma Stand’ at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, India's cricket icon Rohit Sharma endeared himself to fans with a playful exchange that resonated with those in attendance and popularized on social media.

As Rohit passed by the crowd on the sideline of the ceremony, he spotted a familiar face, super fan Dipak Patel, waving a flag with even more zeal than his breathless stroll. This was followed by a heartwarming moment. After coming to a halt to chat and take a picture, the laughter flowed as Rohit pretended to tap Dipak lightly with a punch while the fan pretended to follow him in a joking way. Seconds later, Rohit affectionately embraced the fan off the side, bringing an emotional and personal aspect to an already historic moment.

With that, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially named the stand after Rohit Sharma commemorating the vast contributions produced by the cricketer to both Indian and Mumbai cricket. Along with naming stands after former Indian Captain Ajit Wadekar and philanthropist ex-BCCI President Sharad Pawar, it's a day to commemorate in Mumbai's cricketing history.

Rohit Sharma with his fan Dipak🔥

Don’t miss the end😭🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/jKnvCDrYVV

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) May 16, 2025

Also read:  Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs rejoin Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025 resumption

"A Surreal Feeling"—Rohit" Looks Back on the Honour

At the ceremony, Rohit talked passionately about how much the honour meant to him. "I had never imagined what was going to be today. You try to set a lot of milestones, but something like this is very special, because Wankhede is such an iconic stadium and so many memories have been created here," the former Test and T20I captain said.

Rohit, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, shared how special it was to have his family in attendance: “To have this honour in front of my family — my mom and dad, my brother and his wife, and my wife — very special people in my life. I’m so grateful for the sacrifices they’ve made for me to stand here.”

Having played 67 Tests and notched more than 4,300 runs, Rohit is leaving behind a brilliant legacy. Now that Wankhede carries his name, the Indian opener's journey has come full circle — from creating memories on the field to becoming immortalized as part of the stadium's history.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid shared a message full of warmth and humor to congratulate Rohit Sharma on a stand being named after him at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The soon-to-be viral video message is a wonderful combination of warmth, wit, and admiration — a fitting representation of both players' friendship and their mutual respect as two of India's great cricketers.

When Dravid began his message, he started in a teasing tone. "Hey Rohit, I guess you have hit so many sixes into those stands, they had to name one after you," Dravid said. But it didn't take long for Dravid to acknowledge the honor for Rohit and use a sincere tone. "Just congratulations! I'm sure as a young kid growing up that this has come to that... It is a tremendous honor, and it is very well-deserved."

Describing Wankhede Stadium as one of the best cricket stadiums in the world, Dravid said, "The legendary Wankhede Stadium now actually has a Rohit Sharma stand. Some of the greatest moments of the game have happened in this stadium; it is only right that your name now be part of that."

Rahul Dravid's message to RO got us like... 🥹💙

P.S. The humour at the start & end 😂👌#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #RohitSharmaStand | @ImRo45 | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/sdnasfUIKi

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 17, 2025

Also read: Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs rejoin Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025 resumption

A Salute to Rohit's Legacy

Dravid reminisced about Rohit Sharma's journey and immense contributions to Mumbai and Indian cricket, and noted that the adulation is a "just reward" for all he has put in.
He then said, "You probably never envisioned a stand being named after you, but now that it has happened, I hope it was a really special day, spent with your family and friends.

He closed the eulogy by wishing best wishes, commenting on how proud everyone is of Rohit's accomplishments as a player and a leader. The note had a deep impact on fans, appreciating Rohit from when he was a boy growing up in Mumbai, to a cricketing legend, whose name now adorns the walls of the very stadium he dreamt of playing in.

Dravid's message not only captured the time but also the legacy Rohit keeps building—one six, one match, and now one stand at a time.

In an emotional moment that was touching hearts throughout the world of cricket, Indian cricket superstar Rohit Sharma's wife, Ritika Sajdeh, was moved to tears during the unveiling of a stand of a stadium dedicated to her husband's name. The ceremony to honor the great contribution of Rohit to Indian cricket became all the more special with Ritika's evident pride and emotional response.

When Rohit went on stage to dedicate the "Rohit Sharma Stand," he invited his family along with him—turning the event into a highly personal one. Ritika, who has been accompanying him through each and every high and low of his life, fought hard to contain her tears as fans cheered the Indian captain. Her feelings expressed not only happiness but also long years of sacrifice, patience, and blind support behind Rohit's success saga.

The stand naming marks a major milestone in Rohit's cricket life. From his humble beginnings playing domestic cricket to becoming one of India's most successful captains and a contemporary batting legend, the privilege celebrates his legacy. The moment was a culmination of the dream they created together—a dream that fans were privileged enough to see come alive up close, for Ritika.

Ritika Bhabhi got emotional during the inauguration of Rohit Sharma's stand.🥹

pic.twitter.com/spddIineXx

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) May 16, 2025

Also read: Sharad Pawar stand unveiled at Wankhede stadium by Maharashtra CM

A Seemingly Personal Milestone Publicly Shared

Ritika's emotional reaction resonated with fans and added an even more personal touch to the event. It reminded one that every sporting star has an extensive, although quiet, support network that propels them. Ritika's presence, graceful demeanor, and tears amplified the personal sacrifices made by the families of elite sportsmen and women who are nearly always behind-the-scenes players.

As the clip of Ritika becoming emotional went viral across social media channels, ecstatic fans flooded the couple with thanks and compliments. This was not merely the announcement of a stand—it was a celebration of love, contributions of partnership, and the people who humbly stand behind greatness.

The event in honor of Rohit Sharma demonstrated Ritika's involvement in his journey and, in many ways, made the moment extra special for cricket fans worldwide.

Mumbai Indians Home Ground – Wankhede Stadium

Mumbai Indians (MI) play their home matches at Wankhede Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in the IPL. With a seating capacity of over 33,000, Wankhede has witnessed several thrilling encounters, including IPL finals and record-breaking performances.

Recent Matches Played by Mumbai Indians at Wankhede

• IPL 2024League Match: MI vs LSG – LSG won.
• IPL 2024 League Match: MI vs SRH – MI won.
• IPL 2024 League Match: MI vs KKR – KKR won.

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2025 Home Matches at Wankhede Stadium

How to Buy Tickets for Mumbai Indians Matches at Wankhede

ALSO SEE : IPL 2025 full schedule date time venues and complete details

Online Booking:

• Tickets can be purchased through BookMyShow, PayTM Insider, and the official IPL website.
• Choose your match, pick your preferred seats, and proceed to checkout.

Offline Purchase:

• Tickets may also be available at the Wankhede Stadium box office and select retail outlets in Mumbai.

Ticket Prices (Estimated):

• ₹750 - ₹1500 (General Stand)
• ₹2000 - ₹5000 (Premium Seating)
• ₹8000+ (VIP & Hospitality)

Book early, as MI home matches tend to sell out quickly!

The Wankhede Stadium celebrated its 50th anniversary with a week-long series of events organized by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) from 12th January to 19th January. The main celebration is scheduled for 19th January, while a special gesture to honor the hardworking ground staff took place on 15th January. On this day, the MCA appreciated the efforts of 178 active groundsmen by gifting them a "jumbo household hamper."

A day to remember ❤️

Polly Umrigar Health Camp, interactive sessions with Mr. Ajinkya Naik, Ajinkya Rahane & Dr. Adil Chagla, and a heartfelt felicitation for our groundsmen! 🙌

The event was also graced by MCA President Mr. Ajinkya Naik, Secretary Mr. Abhay Hadap, Jt.… pic.twitter.com/33L6qYZkBE

— Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) (@MumbaiCricAssoc) January 15, 2025

Items in the Jumbo Household Hamper:

Food items:

• • 5 kilograms each of wheat, rice, and dal.

Appliances and kits:

• • Mixer grinder.

  • Medical and hydration kits.

Bags and accessories:

• • Backpack, mini kit bag, and waist pouch.

Kitchen essentials:

• • Tea bags, kettle, and utensils.

Clothing:

• • T-shirt, track pants, shorts, socks, shoes, flip-flops, jackets, sunglasses, caps, and hats.

Personal care:

• • Toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, hair oil, and comb.

Bedding and weather protection:

• • Bedsheet, pillow, blanket, umbrella, and raincoat.

Stationery:

• • Pens and notepads.

Other essentials:

• • Towels, napkins, sunscreen, and sipper bottles.

Also Read: Bumrah's Back Injury Puts His 2025 Champions Trophy Participation in Doubt

Ajinkya Naik, President of the MCA, explained this thoughtful gesture, saying,

“We could have given them money, but we already do that during festivals and games. This time, we wanted to make their day special and memorable by gifting them items that they can use every day. Ground staff are often unnoticed, but they are the heartbeat of every ground and stadium.”

Former and current Mumbai cricketers joined the event, including legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Vinod Kambli, and Sanjay Manjrekar. Current players such as Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, and Prithvi Shaw also marked their presence. The celebration continues to build excitement as the main event on 19th January promises to be a grand affair, with several iconic cricketers coming together to honor this historic occasion.

Also Read: "India Would Have Won the Series If..." – R. Ashwin Opens Up on India's BGT 2024-25 Series Loss

The main event will feature cricketing legends from Sachin Tendulkar to Sunil Gavaskar, along with many former Mumbai players, celebrating Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary. Current Mumbai players, including Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, who recently joined Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy camp, are also expected to participate. Rohit extended his wishes for the occasion, making this week-long celebration a truly memorable milestone in Mumbai cricket history.

Mumbai cha raja has a message for you 📹

Book your tickets now➡️ https://t.co/jWi7x1bLi4#Wankhede50 | #MCA | #Mumbai |#Cricket | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/dTFbexeEJU

— Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) (@MumbaiCricAssoc) January 15, 2025

Rohit Sharma, who has joined the Mumbai Ranji team to regain form after a challenging Test season at home and in the Australia series, is working on finding his rhythm. While he is part of the Mumbai Ranji team, his inclusion in the playing XI for their first match is not yet confirmed.

Controversy erupted on the third day of the final test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede. India were tasked with chasing down 147 to save themselves from a rare embarrassing series sweep. The chips were down and India immediately found itself in trouble waters when they were reduced to 29-5 inside 10 overs. 

But Rishab Pant was the only Indian batter to throw the punches back at the New Zealand bowlers. The flamboyant wicket-keeper batter was in the mood to attack right from the word go and was more than ready to use his feet and deploy a wide range of sweeps against the spinning ball.

As all the batters failed to apply themselves on a tricky Wankhede pitch, Pant seemed far more resolute than the others and scored at an alarmingly high strike rate of over 100 to keep India in the run chase. But the moment he was removed by Ajaz Patel during the 22nd over, India’s hopes of winning the match quickly dissipated and the home side agonizingly fell short by 25 runs.  

Here is how the drama around his dismissal unfolded 

Pant resumed the second session after lunch on a very assuring note for India. He was going great guns and was batting beautifully on 64. Pant was riding his luck thus far and India were well on course for a consolation win. But the 27-year-old soon ran out of luck when Ajaz came on to bowl the 22nd over of the run chase.

After smacking Ajaz for a few boundaries in that over, Pant decided to use his feet during the fourth ball of the over. It was a generously tossed-up delivery that turned fractionally after pitching. Pant steps out of his crease to make contact with the ball but the ball balloons up in the air after hitting the pads and Blundell pouches it at short leg. At first glance, it appeared that Pant had not made any contact with the ball.

Desperate to turn the tide in their favor, Latham decided to go for the review. The replay revealed a notable spike on the UltraEdge when the bat made contact with Pant's pad; however, a similar spike was observed when the ball approached the bat. But after the ball had passed the inside edge of his bat, an obvious delection was seen before the ball made contact with his pad. At that very moment, Pant immidiately approached the umpires and indicated to them that there was no bat involvement. The on-field umpires were in no mood to buy into his explanation and when the decisive moment came, umpire Illingworth reversed his "not out" decision to "out" as per the recommendation from the TV umpire. Pant stood his ground helplessly at first but reluctantly began walking towards the dressing room.

The decision came under severe criticism by the fans and the leading cricket experts. After the game, Rohit Sharma expressed solidarity with Pant and believed that the TV umpire made a glaring error in giving Pant out. In addition, retired South African batting star Ab de Villiers also came in support of Pant and questioned the TV umpire's  controversial out decision.

As we speak, the third test between India and New Zealand is on a knife edge, with the home side in dire straits. In their pursuit of 147, India made a disastrous start to the run chase and lost their top order in no time with 29 on the board. Pant is the only batter who is now holding the Indian innings together by a thread. He is currently unbeaten on 53* and his side hopes that he stays till the end to help India avoid an embarrassing series whitewash at home. 

Here is how the drama unfolded on day three

New Zealand could only manage to add three more runs to their overnight total of 171-9 before being dismissed on 174 courtesy of Jadeja’s final wicket. This meant that India was required to chase down a target of 147, which by no means was a challenging ask. But with the pitch turning square, very few could anticipate the carnage that was to come in the Indian innings. 

Rohit Sharma kicked off the run chase with a few boundaries but he turned out to be the first Indian victim to fall and was removed by Henry during the third over. That wicket triggered a procession of wickets for team India as they went from 13-1 to 29-5 in virtually a blink of an eye. The spin duo of Ajaz and Phillips took over and accounted for the bulk of the damage. 

The Indian batters struggled against the spinning ball and failed to pick the natural variations which ultimately proved to be their downfall. Ajaz Patel once again proved to be a potent threat for the home side claiming figures of 4-43 while Phillips also managed to bag an all-important wicket of Jaiswal on five. Ajaz ran through the defenses of Gill, Kohli, Jadeja, and Sarfarz. Rohit and Pant are the only two batters to register double-figure scores. 

Apart from quality spin bowling, the shot selection of some of our batters were also questionable. Gill opting to leave a straighter ball and Sarafaz holing out to Ravindra at deep square leg to a full toss were some of the brain-fade moments our batters faced in the middle.

Pant shines with the bat and keeps India afloat 

In the face of an acute adversary, one man defied all odds. The flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman Rishab Pant played with a lot of purpose to give India a fighting chance of earning a consolidation win. On a deteriorating Wankhede pitch, Pant played some swashbuckling shots to entertain the home crowd. The 27-year-old did not hesitate to use his feet against the tossed-up deliveries and deployed his sweep shots precisely on numerous instances at a time when batters have largely struggled to get their feet moving. 

He teamed up with Jadeja to help India stitch a valuable 42 runs for the sixth wicket to get India close to the target. Unfortunately, the partnership was broken by Ajaz who once again came on top to have Jadeja caught at short leg. But Pant remained resolute and has raced to 53 in only 50 balls.

At the time of writing, the game was set up nicely at lunch on day three with India at 92-6 still requiring 55 more runs to avoid a rare clean sweep at home. Pant is a ray of hope for the Men In Blue who have their backs placed firmly on the wall. He will have to grind harder for the next few overs to see India home by the end of the second session.