The fourth Test between India and England is being played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The hosts have an unassailable lead in the five-match series and are looking forward to clinch a five straight series win.
However, a strange phenomenon occurred involving the hosts. For the first time, a Mumbaikar is not in India’s playing XI in Mumbai. Isn’t it strange?
However, Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur was roped in as a replacement for Mohammad Shami, but did not get to play the match. Meanwhile, batting mainstay Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the series due to a finger injury. It is, in fact, the first time since India’s debut Test that the team is without a player from Mumbai playing anywhere across the country.
Interestingly, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar during his playing career took the field at his home ground in Test matches. After he hung up his boots in Wankhede three years ago, it is the first time that the hosts are playing without him. Sachin played 11 Tests at Wankhede during his 24-year-long cricket career notching up 921 runs at an average of 48.47. However, he has played only one Test at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium wherein he scored 53 runs.
Mumbai has produced cricket stalwarts like Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri and others. England have won the last two Tests they played against India at this ground. They beat the hosts by ten wickets in 2012 and triumphed over Rahul Dravid-led India way back in 2006.
