Mumbai’s Azad Maidan Shrinks As Non-Sporting Events Grow
Once the cradle of Mumbai’s cricketing legacy, Azad Maidan is gradually losing its identity as a sports ground, with non-sporting events and construction projects eroding its historical significance. Azad Maidan, spanning 25 acres, has hosted the first matches of some of India’s most iconic cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, cementing Mumbai’s status as a cricketing powerhouse.
However, in recent years, this sprawling open space has been reduced, both in size and utility, as the demand for land for political, religious, and developmental purposes continues to rise. The once famous triangular playground also played a key role during India’s freedom struggle, witnessing the participation of two lakh people during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Today, however, it finds itself struggling to serve its original purpose as a sports venue, thanks to a steady encroachment by various entities. In a bid to make room for Mumbai’s growing infrastructure needs, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has taken control of 16 plots, previously managed by sports clubs such as John Bright Cricket Club, Young Mohammedan, and St. Xaviers’ Cricket Club, to facilitate the construction of the underground Metro 3 corridor. Despite promises of restoration by June 2024, progress on returning the land to its rightful owners has been dismal.
With the construction of metro corridors consuming large portions of the ground, cricket enthusiasts have been left with fewer options for practice or competition. Only four grounds remain suitable for professional cricket—Sassanian Cricket Club, Elphinstone Cricket Club, New Era, and Hindustan Construction—but these are also under increasing pressure due to the influx of non-sporting events, including rallies, religious functions, and political gatherings. Secretary of the Fort Vijay Cricket Club, highlighted how the ground, which had once proudly hosted cricket matches, was repurposed for protests. “We fought against the decision to allow protests on our field, but instead of listening to our concerns, the authorities decided to concretize our grounds. Since 2017, we have not played a match here,” he lamented. “This setback has also had a major impact on the performance of our players, who now have to rely on substitute grounds provided by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).”
The encroachment by non-sporting events has become more frequent in recent years, with mega marathons, political rallies, and even religious functions taking a toll on the ground. Groundsmen, who toil to maintain the fields, face a constant struggle as large-scale events leave the pitches damaged, rendering them unplayable for days. Cricket coach Manik Madkaikar noted that these events cause “irreparable loss to the field,” pointing out that despite the huge profits generated by these activities, no funds are reinvested into maintaining or improving Azad Maidan. The situation has become increasingly frustrating for local cricketers, especially those participating in inter-school competitions like the prestigious Harris Shield and Giles Shield. The ground’s compromised condition leads to postponed tournaments, affecting schoolchildren’s ability to compete. cricket secretary of the Mumbai School Sports Association, expressed his concerns over the growing encroachment, which has forced players to travel long distances to find suitable grounds for matches.
Azad Maidan has long been a symbol of Mumbai’s sporting culture and a haven for political expression. But today, as cricketers and sports enthusiasts watch their playground shrink, the city faces the uncomfortable reality of losing a cultural and sporting landmark, one pitch at a time.
