Former international venue · Maharashtra
Gymkhana Ground, Mumbai
Fort, South Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Stadium guide with history, famous matches and records.
- Capacity 15,000
- Opened 1875
- 1 Test
Photo: Gaurav Vaidya ( User:Gaurav ), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gymkhana Ground: key facts
Gymkhana Ground is the cricket field of Bombay Gymkhana in Fort, South Mumbai. It staged India's first home Test, against England in December 1933, but stopped hosting senior matches after Brabourne Stadium became the city's major venue in 1937. The club and its sports facilities remain at Azad Maidan.
- Location
- Fort, South Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Capacity
- 15,000The listed ground capacity is 15,000; temporary stands for the 1933 Test were reported to accommodate a much larger crowd.
- Opened
- 1875
- First international
- 15 December 1933India v England, 1st Test
- Owned or run by
- Bombay Gymkhana
- Status
- Former international venue
International matches hosted
- 1Tests
- 1Women's ODIs
Counts up to 6 June 2026; first international 15 December 1933, last 15 December 1933.
History of Gymkhana Ground
Bombay Gymkhana was established on 19 June 1875 as a central sporting club for the city's British community. The ground, at the southern end of Azad Maidan, became an important setting for early Bombay cricket. It hosted annual matches involving the Gymkhana, Parsee and Hindu teams, and later became associated with the Bombay Quadrangular and Pentangular traditions. The club's present address is on Mahatma Gandhi Road opposite Fashion Street in Fort.
The ground's defining event was India's first Test on home soil. India, led by C. K. Nayudu, met Douglas Jardine's England from 15 to 18 December 1933. England won by nine wickets, but Lala Amarnath's 118 in the second innings was India's first Test century. Bryan Valentine made 136 for England, while Mohammad Nissar took five wickets in England's innings. The match also introduced several Indian players to Test cricket.
Gymkhana Ground did not remain a senior international venue for long. Brabourne Stadium took over Bombay's major international and Pentangular fixtures in 1937, and later Wankhede Stadium became Mumbai's principal international ground. The Gymkhana site continues as a multi-sport club facility. It also hosted a women's ODI between India and Australia on 16 December 2004, the last international match shown in the venue's listed records.
Milestones
- 1875
Bombay Gymkhana was established on 19 June as a central sporting club in Mumbai.
- 1907
The first Triangular cricket tournament involving the Gymkhana, Parsee Gymkhana and Hindu Gymkhana was played on the ground.
- 1912
The Islam Gymkhana joined the annual tournament, creating the Bombay Quadrangular.
- 1933
Gymkhana Ground staged India's first home Test, India v England, from 15 to 18 December.
- 1937
Brabourne Stadium replaced the ground for Bombay's major international and Pentangular fixtures.
- 2004
India women played Australia in a women's ODI at Gymkhana Ground on 16 December.
Famous matches at Gymkhana Ground
15 December 1933
India v England, 1st Test
India's first home Test ended in a nine-wicket defeat, but Lala Amarnath's 118 became India's first Test century. England's Bryan Valentine scored 136 and India's Mohammad Nissar took five wickets.
Gymkhana Ground records
Researched ground records, checked against at least one published scorecard source.
| Record | Figure | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Highest individual Test score | 136 | Bryan Valentine, England v India, 1933 |
| India's first home Test century | 118 | Lala Amarnath, India v England, 1933 |
| Best Test innings bowling | 5/90 | Mohammad Nissar, India v England, 1933 |
| Best England innings bowling | 5/55 | Stan Nichols, England v India, 1933 |
How to reach Gymkhana Ground
- By train
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is the nearby major railway station; the ground is in the Fort area.
- By road
- Use the Fort/Azad Maidan side of Mahatma Gandhi Road; check current access with Bombay Gymkhana before travelling.
- Address
- Bombay Gymkhana, Mahatma Gandhi Road, opposite Fashion Street, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Gymkhana Ground: questions and answers
When was Gymkhana Ground established?
The Bombay Gymkhana club was established on 19 June 1875.
What is the capacity of Gymkhana Ground?
The venue is listed with a capacity of 15,000. Temporary stands for the 1933 Test were reported to hold a much larger crowd, so the figures are not directly comparable.
Which was the first international match at Gymkhana Ground?
India played England in the first Test on Indian soil from 15 to 18 December 1933. England won by nine wickets.
Why does Gymkhana Ground no longer host regular international cricket?
Brabourne Stadium took over Bombay's major international and Pentangular fixtures in 1937. Wankhede Stadium later became Mumbai's principal international venue.
More cricket stadiums in Maharashtra
Every ground in India that has hosted an international, with its history, capacity and pitch. See all cricket stadiums in India.
International venueWankhede Stadium
- Capacity
- 33,100
- Opened
- 1974
- Internationals
- 87
International venueBrabourne Stadium
- Capacity
- 50,000
- Opened
- 1937
- Internationals
- 49
International venueVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
- Capacity
- 45,000
- Opened
- 2008
- Internationals
- 35
International venueMCA Stadium
- Capacity
- 42,700
- Opened
- 2011
- Internationals
- 20
International venueDY Patil Stadium
- Capacity
- 45,300
- Opened
- 2008
- Internationals
- 14
- Domestic ground
Deccan Gymkhana Ground
- Opened
- 1906
Sources for this stadium guide
- Bombay Gymkhana — Wikipedia
- India vs England, 1st Test at Mumbai, Dec 15 1933 — ESPNcricinfo
- About Club — Bombay Gymkhana
- Bombay Gymkhana @150 — Gateway House
- In 1st Test Played In India — NDTV
- File:Bombay Gymkhana inside.jpg — Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Gaurav Vaidya ( User:Gaurav ), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons