IND vs BAN: Kolkata turns pink for the historic day-night Test

22nd November 2019 will welcome a new era in Indian cricket. India and Bangladesh will be playing their first-ever day-night Test match under the floodlights of Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The new BCCI president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly played a key role in turning the second Test between India and Bangladesh into a day-night fixture. His own city, Kolkata is leaving no stone unturned in staging the pink-ball Test.

Kolkata gearing up for the #PinkBallTest ??#TeamIndia #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/16p66AvHTn

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2019

Kolkata in pink

Following years of tradition, Kolkata is one of the most celebrated cricket venues. Earning the distinction of the hosting India’s first-ever day-night Test, the East Indian city is honouring the event in a grand way. Inspired by the colour of the new ball, Kolkata’s monuments are turning pink.

Shahid Minar, the tallest building ’42’ and some of the Kolkata Municipality Corporation Parks are being illuminated with pink lights to highlight the occasion. The Tata Steel building will have 3D Mapping from 20th November, while the Measurers’ Club has turned pink at night with others expected to follow.

CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) has joined hands with Kolkata-based creative agency Creocraft to create vignettes of cricket on the inside walls of the Eden Gardens, which will explore the story behind every cricketer. Over 20 artists studying at Indian Art College are working day and night to paint this idea on the walls.

Game plan

The Test match itself will be full of celebrations and events. The historic match will begin with Army paratroopers flying into the Eden Gardens to hand over a pink ball each to both the captains prior to the toss. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will come together for the bell-ringing ceremony.

At the 20-minute tea break, former captains and sport-stars from other disciplines shall go around the ground in carts. Later during the 40-minute supper break, there will be a talk show featuring the ‘Fabulous Five’ – Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman. India’s legends shall revive the memories of their epic 2001 Test victory over Australia.

There will also be a felicitation ceremony of the team members from Bangladesh’s maiden Test match against India in 2000.

More than 50,000 people to witness India’s first #PinkBall D/N Test at #EdenGardens each day for first three days as demand for tickets shoot through the roof. #BetheChange @SGanguly99 @BCCI#IndvBanTest

— CABCricket (@CabCricket) November 9, 2019