MCA celebrated 50 years by creating 'Guinness World' record with 14,505 balls

Today, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) added another important chapter to its remarkable history when it became the new Guinness World Records title holder for 'Largest Cricket Ball Sentence' as part of its celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The record was established on the anniversary of the first international match played at the Wankhede Stadium, in 1975, when India took on West Indies in a memorable Test match from January 23 to 29. Paying special tribute to the day when cricket's journey began at the Wankhede Stadium, the MCA dedicated this record to the late Eknath Solkar, who scored a century in that match, and to other departed Mumbai players who made exceptional contributions to the sport.

Highlighting MCA’s relentless commitment to excellence, 14,505 leather cricket balls were carefully arranged on the Wankhede Stadium field to form the sentence: Fifty Years of Wankhede Stadium. The record was achieved in the presence of MCA President Ajinkya Naik along with office bearers and Apex Council members.

The MCA will give the balls used to achieve this record to aspiring cricketers from schools, clubs, and NGOs in the city to encourage them to take inspiration from this record and achieve even greater feats in their careers.

Mumbai Cricket Association President Ajinkya Naik said, “Mumbai cricket has made significant contributions to the sport and has a special place in the history of cricket. The city has produced some of the greatest cricketers in the world. The Wankhede Stadium is the pride of Mumbai and has witnessed countless historic moments. This Guinness World Records title is a reflection of Mumbai cricket's passion, legacy, and relentless pursuit of excellence. It is also a special tribute to all the players, officials, and unsung heroes who have contributed to Mumbai's cricketing legacy.”

Earlier, the MCA hosted a number of spectacular events to celebrate the stadium's golden jubilee. These included felicitation of the captains of Mumbai's men's and women's teams, members of the Mumbai team that played the first first-class match at the Wankhede Stadium in 1974, former elected managing committee members and the Mumbai Sports Journalists' Association. The association also felicitated its groundsmen and organized a Polly Umrigar health camp and a special luncheon for them in honor of these unsung heroes. The grand event, held on January 19, saw cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Diana Edulji, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane in the presence of a packed stadium. The memorable evening saw a mesmerizing performance by Ajay-Atul and Avadhoot Gupte followed by a spectacular laser show.