Iconic Eden Gardens to Host First Day/Night Test in India

Iconic Eden Gardens to Host First Day/Night Test in India
India vs Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Iconic Eden Gardens to Host First Day/Night Test in India
India vs Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

It is time for yet another home series for India and one more opportunity to whitewash neighbouring Bangladesh. Playing cricket on the Indian soil and thinking to fight against the host nation is just like climbing on Everest. Bangladeshi players will have to punch above their weight to present some challenges; otherwise, this series would be another cakewalk for the home team.

Mood upbeat

Of late Team India trounced South Africa like a baby in the one-sided series. On paper, Bangladesh is a weaker side than Proteas. The spirit of the number one Test side is upbeat after the two successive comprehensive series victory against the West Indies and South Africa, respectively. There is no iota of fragility in the present Indian team.

Ban on Shakib

Absence of captain and star allrounder Shakib ul Hassan has already pushed the side to the wall. It was a significant blow for the cricket fraternity of Bangladesh when Shakib was banned for two years from all cricket with a year of a suspended sentence for his failure to inform approaches made by bookies on several occasion. It was confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

New captains for series

Mahmudullah will lead the side in the T20I, while Mominul Haque has been given the responsibility to command the Test side. Return of speedster Mustafizur Rahman is positive news for the visiting team. His IPL experience may prove handy for the touring party on this tour.

CM assures pollution no issue

Both teams are gearing up for the three T20sI and two Test-match series. First T20I will be held in Delhi’s Arun Jaitely Stadium (earlier known as Ferozshah Kotla). This match hangs in the balance due to acute pollution in the national capital. But Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday assured that pollution is not going to affect the India-Bangladesh T20 match to be held in Delhi on November 3. He further added his government has been taking all steps to improve the air quality of the national capital.

First D/N Test

The Test series will commence from November 14, with the Indore Test. But the second Test would be a historic one because India will play its first-ever Day-Night Test against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Credit should be given to the newly elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly for taking this path-breaking decision. Not to talk of spectators, neither team has played in pink-ball Test cricket.

Eden Gardens a landmark venue

The iconic Eden Gardens would be the first venue of the country to host the D/N Test match on the Indian soil commencing from November 22-26, which is the second and last Test of the series. This epic ground is known for hosting many landmark matches.

  • The first ICC world cup final (Reliance world cup) was played outside England on this ground on November 8, 1987. Australia defeated England by 7 runs. Mike Gatting’s reverse sweep was the turning point of the match.
  • On November 10, 1991, South Africa played its first international match on Eden Gardens after serving more than two decades ban. (India won that match by 3 wickets)
  • First-ever Continental (Asian Test Championship) was played on this historic ground on February 16-20, 1999 (Pakistan defeated India by 46 runs)
  • First-ever 4-day Day/Night cricket match was held with a pink ball on June 18-21, 2016 (Mohun Bagan surpassed the Bhawanipore club by 296 runs in CAB Super League final.
  • On April 3, 2016, first-ever ICC World T20 final of men and women was held on the same day at the same venue (Eden Gardens). (West Indies men defeated England by 4 wickets, and their women overpowered Australia by 8 wickets).

India musters 240 points

At this moment, India is on the number one position of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, accumulating maximum 240 points from two series. Bangladesh is set to open their campaign in WTC in the upcoming series. At the outset, it is an uphill task for the visitors to challenge the star-studded Indian side.

All odds favour India

Of late Afghanistan thrashed Bangladesh in Test match. So all odds are in favour of the home team. It would be a formality to write, “Cricket is a game of uncertainty prediction is not free from danger until the last ball is not bowled”. This old saying doesn’t apply everywhere, but it can not be denied.

Time of D/N match

The D/N Test match will begin from 2 pm and end at 9 pm. After the first session, 20-minute tea break will be taken, then a 40-minute supper break ahead of the final session.

Russell upbeat

Bangladesh head coach of South Africa Russell Domingo is quite optimistic about playing the first Day/Night Test match against the host. He said both the team’s inexperience of playing with a pink ball might give the visitors an edge over the host. He further added It’s going to be a massive occasion at the Eden Gardens. It will be a new experience for both teams. So we’re very excited,” Domingo said.

India is all set to stretch its winning streak at home to win the 12 consecutive Test series against Bangladesh to extend their complete dominance in their backyard since 2013. Kohli and his troops are in superb form to smother any challenge. The important thing is how will the visiting team cope with the host nation. Will Bangladesh surrender meekly like South Africa or pose any challenge? Wait! Time will unveil everything.