Oval Maidan, Recreational ground in South Mumbai, India

Oval Maidan is a large recreational ground in South Mumbai, India, shaped like an oval and covering 22 acres (8.9 ha). It is a popular spot for cricket and football, with a jogging track around the edge and a paved lane cutting through the middle.

Until the early 20th century, this ground was part of a larger open area called the Esplanade. In 1997, local residents formed a trust to take care of the neglected ground, and after a court ruling, they took over its maintenance and added fences and a jogging track.

The name "Maidan" comes from the Persian word for an open space, and the ground serves as a shared backyard for the neighborhood. On any given day, you can see groups of friends playing cricket, families strolling, and joggers circling the track.

The ground is open to everyone and easy to reach from Churchgate station. Mornings and evenings are the best times to visit, when locals come to play sports or take a walk.

Political rallies and religious functions are not allowed on the ground, which helps keep it focused on sports and leisure. For a few years, the former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar ran a cricket academy at the northern end of the maidan.