OFFICIAL: Eden Gardens to host India’s first day-night Test against Bangladesh
After a lot of deliberation, the BCCI and BCB have finally come to an agreement to hold a day-night Test match at the Eden Gardens. With this decision, it will be a historic occasion for the iconic venue at Kolkata as it will host India’s first day-night Test match.
India has traditionally been opposed to playing day-night Test matches. But new BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has been a big fan of hosting pink ball matches in order to draw more fans in for the longest format of the game. After some consultation with skipper Virat Kohli, the Ganguly-led BCCI forwarded the proposal to the BCB, who eventually accepted it.
Ganguly in a statement thanked Kohli and BCB President Nazmul Hassan for making this event a reality. He also stressed the importance of day-night matches attracting crowds into the stadiums with attendances over the years taking a massive hit.
“In this effort of ours, Day-Night Test cricket is a huge step forward and we believe it will bring back the crowd into stadiums and a whole lot of young children to the sport. I am extremely honoured that the Eden Gardens will host the inaugural Day-Night Test match and the Cricket Association of Bengal will create a spectacle for everyone to watch. I thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Mr. Nazmul Hassan and his team for accepting our request on such a short notice. I also thank India Captain Mr. Virat Kohli for his co-operation.”
Bangladesh excited by the opportunity
This will also be Bangladesh’s first experience playing a day-night Test. Their head coach Russell Domingo was excited with the proposition of being a part of history involving one of the best sides in the world. He also stated that all the players in the squad were consulted before making the decision to agree to a day-night Test.
“As the coach and some of the players and all the other senior players, we think that it’s a great opportunity. I don’t think India have played a pink-ball Test before. We haven’t played a pink-ball Test. It’s a massive occasion at the Eden Gardens. It will be a new experience for both the teams. So we are very excited about it. It will be a great occasion under the lights against one of the best team in the world, probably the best team in the world also. So we are really looking forward to the challenge.”
The day-night Test match between India and Bangladesh will take place between November 22-26. It will be the second Test of the series with the first match to be held in Indore between November 14-18.
