Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Bombay Gymkhana is its unwavering commitment to sports. Established in 1875 the Bombay Gymkhana stands as a premier private club in Mumbai. Originally envisioned as a British-only gentlemen’s club it was designed by Claude Batley. The Bombay Gymkhana is located at the triangular end of Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.
The Bombay Gymkhana’s grounds offer facilities for rugby football cricket swimming tennis badminton squash and fitness. The club regularly hosts sporting events and tournaments for its members. Membership is exclusive. Bombay Gymkhana Rugby Club is a tenant. The Bombay Gymkhana is the only club promoting budding sports personalities.
A long building connects the two roads serving as lobby table tennis area badminton court restaurant and lounge. The area between the building and the lane is a large ground. It is very difficult to get membership into this exclusive club.
Cricket rugby and football are played here. It was a major center for the Bombay Pentangular cricket matches. The ground hosted India’s first Test cricket match on December 15 1933 captained by CK Nayudu. Temporary stands accommodated 50000 people. Tickets sold at five times their usual price. Lala Amarnath’s century is remembered as one of the best innings in Indian cricket. The ground has not hosted senior matches since 1937 when Brabourne Stadium replaced it.
The ground hosted the first international test cricket match played by disabled cricketers on December 10 2002 between India and England. India won the one-day match.
The Australian national cricket team practiced here before their 1996 Cricket World Cup clash with India. In 2004 the India women’s team played a One Day International versus Australia at Bombay Gymkhana. In March 2010 Mumbai Indians played a practice match here ahead of the IPL Season. Later that year Canada played against a Bombay Gymkhana team to prepare for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
The ground also hosts a national rugby competition and has hosted matches against Sri Lanka and other South Asian teams as part of the HSBC Sevens Asia circuit. It has also hosted national and international squash tournaments.
Bombay Gymkhana houses three badminton courts five squash courts six tennis courts six tables for billiards and snooker one swimming pool and a fitness center.
Originally only men could join the club. Women were able to join from the early 2000s.
In 2016 the BMC wanted to widen Hazarimal Somani Marg requiring land from the Bombay Gymkhana. The gymkhana contested the proposal citing its heritage status. The Gymkhana has also been charged for illegally constructing additional buildings including a CEO’s bungalow and a wine shop.
The Bombay Gymkhana celebrated its 150th anniversary. The club kicked off its 150th anniversary celebrations by unveiling its new logo on January 10. Cricket legend Dilip Vengsarkar and Gymkhana’s oldest member Vicaji J Taraporevala joined the celebration.
The Gymkhana primarily aimed to promote games and sports. The colonial masters’ goal was fostering a heritage where sports sportsmanship and friendships evolve in high-quality facilities.
The unique Swiss Chalet style Bombay Gymkhana Club House and Pavilion designed by John Adams was completed in 1876. The Heritage Committee has awarded heritage status to the Bombay Gymkhana Club House.
The First President of the Bombay Gymkhana was Sir Lyttleton Bayley. Social status and an interest in sports were important criteria for membership. 200 gentlemen were enrolled as the first members.
In 1933 Bombay Gymkhana hosted India’s first-ever test match against England. Permission was obtained to erect a Club House on the Parade Ground which was designed by John Adams and completed in 1876.