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| Home > City Guide - Mumbai (Bombay) - Sport | ||
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Sport In India, cricket is king and Mumbai thinks of itself as the capital of Indian cricket. Many legendary cricketers have hailed from the city, including Sachin Tendulkar, national icon and high priest of Indian batsmen. Indians are obsessed with the game and the national side has a large and devoted following. The game is played everywhere, on proper cricket grounds, in back yards and streets alike. Test Matches are played at the Wankhede Stadium, behind Marine Drive (tel: (022) 281 2723), during the international season, which runs from November to April. Cricket can also be watched on the Maidan grounds or on any of the gymkhana grounds along Marine Drive. For visitors who are interested in the history of the game, a visit to the Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium, Dinshaw Wachha Road (tel: (022) 287 6051/2/3), adjacent to the Wankhede, Marine Drive, is worthwhile. It has an elegant 1930s Art-Deco-style pavilion and, until 1974, Test Matches were played there. Tickets to sporting events are available from the venues. Fitness centres: There are a number of fitness centres and gyms in Mumbai, including Body Art, Modi Lodge, Hughes Road (tel: (22) 380 2602) and Figure Shapers, 'Surf' Pali Mala Road, Bandra (tel: (22) 6051029). Golf: Visitors may play at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Dr C Gidwani Road, Chembur (tel: (22) 550 5874; fax: (22) 550 5880). The club has an 18-hole course (closed Monday) and charges green fees of Rs1200 at weekends and holidays, Rs1000 at other times. Horseracing: The racing season at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Lala Lajpatrai Road, in Mahalaxmi (tel: (022) 307 1401), runs from November to April and the highlight is the Indian Derby in February, a notable social occasion as well as India’s richest and most significant race. The elegant stands provide first-class viewing of the racing on the flat, square track; entrance prices range from Rs12 to Rs250. Even when racing is not taking place, the racecourse is a popular place for people to visit (entrance is free), to walk, jog or simply take the fresh air. Riding can also be arranged. Swimming: The Breach Candy Club, 66 B Desai Road (tel: (022) 367 4381), looks out over the sea to the north of Malabar Hill. It has an enormous swimming pool in the shape of British India, as well as a clubhouse and tennis court. The club’s admission policy has been the subject of public controversy and the concession whereby visiting foreigners were admitted on production of a foreign passport has been abolished. Guests now have to be signed in by a member. Visitors keen on swimming can try the larger hotels, some of which allow visitors to use their swimming pools on payment of a charge. Tennis: The price of land in the centre of the city means that tennis courts are hard to come by. The best bet is for visitors to try the bigger luxury hotels in the suburbs. |
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