West Indies cricket team arrived in Bombay in November 1974. Captain was Clive Lloyd. Shortly after arrival, he was taken to the “ground” where the test match will be played. In this particular ground, this was to be the first test match. The Bombay test was scheduled on the last week of January 1975.
Lloyd was terribly disappointed. It was just a bare empty land with children playing cricket. No stadium. No construction activity. When he expressed his displeasure, he was assured everything will be done before the test match.
After playing other test matches, Lloyd and his team arrived in Bombay at the end of January. He was taken to the stadium to inspect. He was totally surprised. The once bare ground was covered with grass and the stadium had the seating capacity of 40,000. That too in just 3 months. (Please see the match score at the end.)
On one of the match days, the spectators became unruly and police had to use force to maintain law and order. There was considerable damage to the stadium. By next morning the whole stadium was repaired.
How they were able to build a nice stadium within 3 months and correct the damage overnight? The cricket in Maharashtra was run by a guy named S. K. Wankhede. Incidentally, he also happened to be Maharashtra’s Finance Minister. All he had to do was to contact a few builders and executives of some cement companies and tell them in no unmistakable terms what he wanted them to do. Can they refuse this man? Bingo. The job was done.
His name is immortalized in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Why don’t they have people like Wankhede organizing the 2010 Commonwealth Games?
Lloyd was terribly disappointed. It was just a bare empty land with children playing cricket. No stadium. No construction activity. When he expressed his displeasure, he was assured everything will be done before the test match.
After playing other test matches, Lloyd and his team arrived in Bombay at the end of January. He was taken to the stadium to inspect. He was totally surprised. The once bare ground was covered with grass and the stadium had the seating capacity of 40,000. That too in just 3 months. (Please see the match score at the end.)
On one of the match days, the spectators became unruly and police had to use force to maintain law and order. There was considerable damage to the stadium. By next morning the whole stadium was repaired.
How they were able to build a nice stadium within 3 months and correct the damage overnight? The cricket in Maharashtra was run by a guy named S. K. Wankhede. Incidentally, he also happened to be Maharashtra’s Finance Minister. All he had to do was to contact a few builders and executives of some cement companies and tell them in no unmistakable terms what he wanted them to do. Can they refuse this man? Bingo. The job was done.
His name is immortalized in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Why don’t they have people like Wankhede organizing the 2010 Commonwealth Games?
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai***************************************************************************
West Indies won. Here is the final test score.
West Indies First Innings: 604 for 6 declared. (Lloyd not out 242, Fredericks 104, Gavri 4 wickets)
India First Innings: 406 all out (Solkar 102, Viswanath 95, Gavaskar 86, Gibbs 7 wickets)
West Indies Second Innings: 205 for 3 declared (Greenidge 54, Gavri 2 wickets)
India Second Innings: 202 all out (Patel 73 not out, Holder 6 wickets)
Me the first one to comment SG, Read your earlier posts also and left a comment, read it when you find time. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteas always, I learned something new :) Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow This is a piece of pleasant news I didnt know. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Chitra. I am glad you are the first one to comment. I know you are very busy at work. Please come back and read this post and I would love your comment. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Titaxy. You always say some nice things. You are a VS (Very Special). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Insignia. "Pleasant news. I didnt know" Coming from you makes me very happy.
ReplyDeletenice post..a page from the history for the present!...would appreciate if people like Mr.Wankhede can pitch in. But how come things weren't in place before 3 months?.. I notice that most Indians have a tendency to complete work in 11th hour. (I am no exception).
ReplyDeleteI had vaguely heard about the story behind the stadium..but didn't know so many details..
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are aware that world cup final is going to be played on Wankhede Stadium..it has been shut for three years for repair renovation :)
Thanks for your comments Rahul. The only answer I could think is that Mr. Wankhede never thought about making lot of money for his himself and his children.
ReplyDeleteAaa Haa. Thanks for your comments Neha. Oops. Ms. Mumbai. I know it is on April 2. I have already purchased a few tickets for the India vs West Indies match on March 20 in Chennai. You want to come to Chennai to see this match? It is on me. All inclusive.
ReplyDeletelol @ Ms. Mumbai..thanks for the offer SG..I will for sure think about it and let you know.. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been following the Commonwealth Games development, but it seems fraught with problems. Hope it works out.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's some wonderful news about India - back then! But now?!
ReplyDeleteWe attend a quiz every week - good to have sporting information like this as sport is our weak link.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Neha. Pls think about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Emily. Yes, it is fraught with lot of problems.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments NRIGirl. That is why I said we need people like Wankhede.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Tracy. I am glad this post is of some use to you.
ReplyDeleteinformative post and they don't make them like that any more
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shuchita. Those days were the golden days.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing the details.
ReplyDeletedidnt know them
like the photo.
Thanks for your comments SM. I am really happy to share these details with y'all.
ReplyDeleteGood story. I did not know about it. As always informative and concise post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments A. I am glad you liked this post.
ReplyDeleteA simple story, a bit of news, a couple of historic facts and a strong message.
ReplyDeleteYou did it again SG!!! Good one.
Thanks for your comments Geeta. I am humbled by your complements. People who know me (Insignia, Neha, Aparna Radhakrishnan, A, NRIGirl) know that I am a history buff. This gives me an idea to write irregular posts under the caption "A Page from History" now and then. Thanks for triggering this thought.
ReplyDeleteWow!..this is the India I want to think of .. not the one with corruption.In the current scenario,the army is pitching in a huge way.. remember the bridge that made sheila dixit look like a fool.. the army got that repaired in 3 days.The builder had initially said that it would take 3 months for the repair .. thank god there is something to inspire confidence!.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Bedazzled. If only people like Wankhede involve in CWG we would be better prepared.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post as ever sg!!:)
ReplyDeleteit would be a great idea to have a series of posts under this title or maybe tag them under one label..
ReplyDelete@SG,
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea. A Page from History. I would love to see more of these kinds.
@Geeta, SG writes very crisp. Short, concise and yet full of details.
Wow! SG! That will be wonderful. Now I will learn some history I guess. History is my weakest link...
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I remember from history lessons is: "Ashoka salai orangalil marangalai nattar..." (King Ashoka planted trees on the sides of roads)
One more thing, also from history: "Aasaye dunbalukkellam karanam, aasayai olithal dunbamintri valalam... etc" (Desire is the source of all evil, if you get rid of desire you will live without difficulties...) - which are Buddha's teachings
See, I went to Tamil medium so it is all in Tamil...
~ NRIGirl
hii
ReplyDeleteya right, CWG and even the entire would have been a very better place if people like Mr Wankhede were there.
Thanks for your commens Sana. I am glad you liked this post.
ReplyDeleteNeha, A, NRI Girl,
ReplyDeleteWill make an attempt. I hope I succeed.
NRIGirl,
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong in studying in Tamil medium. There was this gentleman in Tamilnadu. His name is V. S. Srinivasa Sastri (1869 to 1946). His command of English language was so impeccable, even the British scholars were afraid to speak in English in his presence. He was affectionately called Silver Tongued Srinivasa Sastri.
He studied in Tamil medium.
Thanks for your comments AS. I am glad you liked this post.
ReplyDeleteLiked your page from History...very informative...especially for someone like me...who never read history!
ReplyDeleteThats the problem, we are not lacking in anything, only will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Aparna. History is more fun. You can get away with any interpretation. We cannot do that in your specialized field.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. We are lacking in leaders who realy want to be of service to the people.
ReplyDelete@sg very nice post. mr wankhede is really appreciable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Raji. You are right. He should be appreciated.
ReplyDelete