Eight Azad Maidan cricket pitches returned to clubs after nine-year wait

Eight cricket pitches at Azad Maidan are being returned to clubs on Sunday, September 13, ending a nine-year wait that began when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority took over the space for Metro 3 construction in 2017. The handover marks a significant administrative change for Mumbai cricket, restoring playing capacity that had been reduced for nearly a decade.

The eight clubs receiving their pitches back are RBI, St Xavier's Club, Young Friends Union Club, Young Muslim Club, Muslim United Club, Kila Court Club, Bohra Cricket Club and John Bright Club. Some of these clubs are over 100 years old, making the restoration particularly meaningful for Mumbai's cricketing community.

A ground equipment handover function and inauguration was scheduled on the morning of Sunday at the Young Muslim Club's plot. Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik and the apex council attended the ceremony. MCA veteran curator Nadim Memon and Pramod Yadav oversaw the renovation of the eight pitches.

"Cricket is back at the Azad Maidan! It’s a proud and emotional moment for all the Mumbaikars and cricket-lovers. The eight MCA-affiliated clubs at the Azad Maidan once again have their cricket pitches back in playing condition after 9 long years of Metro rail work. It is truly a dream come true for Mumbai cricket.

After the completion of Metro works, the challenge of restoring and developing the cricket pitches and outfield was enormous. The ground was completely covered with debris and construction material, making the task extremely difficult. Through the hard work, dedication and continuous efforts of the MCA maidan committee, ground staff and all those involved, the pitches and outfield have been brought back to a standard where cricket can once again be played," Memon was quoted as saying by TOI.

How did the Metro 3 project affect cricket at Azad Maidan?

Azad Maidan is a 25-acre ground near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus station that hosts 22 cricket pitches in total. When MMRDA took over pitches for Metro 3 construction in 2017, 16 of the 22 clubs at the ground were affected. This reduced the number of simultaneous games the ground could host to nearly half its original capacity.

Prominent clubs affected by the Metro 3 project included Parsee Cyclists, Baronet, John Bright, Bohra Cricketers and Navroz. The ground regularly hosts major tournaments, including the Harris Shield, Giles Shield, Kanga League and Times Shield, all of which were impacted by the reduced pitch availability during the construction period.

The ground has historically served as a nursery for some of India's most celebrated cricketers. Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan are among the notable players who developed their game at Azad Maidan, underlining the importance of the facility to Mumbai and Indian cricket at large.

What is the next step for the remaining affected clubs?

With eight pitches now restored and handed back, the question of the remaining clubs affected by the Metro 3 project is still open. Of the 16 clubs originally affected, eight have received their pitches back through this handover. The status of the remaining clubs has not been confirmed in the available evidence.

"We have always believed in strengthening grassroots cricket, as it is the foundation of Mumbai cricket. Our focus is to provide better facilities and support maidan clubs to nurture the next generation of cricketers," Naik told TOI.

The MCA maidan committee and ground staff were credited with bringing the pitches and outfield back to a playable standard after clearing debris and construction material left behind by the Metro works.