Published 18:14 IST, October 29th 2019
HISTORIC! Eden Gardens to host 1st Ever Day-Night Test in India
Eden Gardens Kolkata will host the first-ever pink ball day-night cricket under the lights in India from November 22 to 26, as BCB agreed to BCCI's proposal
Eden Gardens, Kolkata will host the first ever pink ball day night cricket under the lights in India from November 22 to 26, as Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's proposal.
The BCCI president had requested the BCB on late Sunday if they were keen to play under the lights as "it was high time that the two nations played the Day-Night version."
"BCB has accepted the proposal but it was not a unanimous decision but majority were in favour it," a senior BCB official confirmed Republic TV.
India and Bangladesh are the only two Test playing nations which are yet to play under the lights whereas most of the other Test playing nations have already played under the lights.
Interestingly, the decision is not consensual or unanimous as there are still playere in both camps who are not so keem with the new proposal but both parties agreed on a majority vote.
Many in the Indian team, including coach Ravi Shastri were not too keen initially to "experiment" but eventually agreed as captain Virat Kohli had "principally" agreed BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's proposal when they met on the selection day.
Ganguly was always in favour of hosting day night cricket in India and it was in his top most priority list.
In fact, as CAB president he wanted to host Duleep Trophy finals at Eden Gardens but for technical reasons it didn't materialise.
Ganguly has maintained that Test cricket must have spectators. With less than 10 per cent tickets sold in an average Day test matches it was felt by BCCI to change the pattern as more spectators can watch the match after their office work and Test match under the lights was more "watchable and attractive."
Updated 18:39 IST, October 29th 2019