History has shown us very many times that the downfall of an empire leads to the birth of another. Something similar happened in 1973.
The CCI-owned Brabourne was involved in a long dispute with the Bombay Cricket Association (now MCA) over the allocation of tickets for matches. Things reached a boiling point after the 1973 Test between India and England. SK Wankhede, a politician and then secretary of the BCA, led from the front and decided to build a new stadium just a mile away. The new ground was built in six months and opened in time for the final Test between India and the West Indies in 1975. Thus, the Wankhede ‘killed’ Brabourne.
It is believed that the CCI took an ‘arrogant stance’ when it came to distribution of the spoils. As a result, the BCA threatened to host a Test at Shivaji Park with temporary stands! “The BCA is the parent body with over 258 clubs affiliated to it. We are promoting cricket in Mumbai and Thane areas. Before the construction of the Brabourne, Bombay Gym used to host international games. Naturally, after the Brabourne was built, all matches were shifted. The Brabourne is owned by a limited company and 80-90 per cent of the profits go to the club. The BCA never got anything out of it,” Wankhede had said.
During all those years, attempts were made to secure more seats. However, in the year 1971, not a single additional seat could be allotted to the BCA. The BCA general body took a stance and like Wankhede put it, “We are like a tenant who now wants to build his own house. Dual control always creates problem and the stadium is being built for our own game. We don’t want to hurt or create a loss for anyone.”
The CCI maintained that it spends a large amount in maintaining the ground and any further concessions would lead to substantial loss of revenue to the club.
