Published 20:27 IST, October 29th 2019
Day-Night Test will bring the format back on its feet: Sourav Ganguly
Hailing BCB's decision to agree for the day-night Test match at Eden Gardens, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said it was the beginning of "something special"
Hailing BCB's decision to agree for the historic day-night Test match at Eden Gardens, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said it was the beginning of "something special" in the forward direction aimed to bring the game "back on its feet."
Huge step forward: Ganguly
In a BCCI statement, Ganguly, said: “I’m pleased to announce that our long-term partner BCB has graciously agreed to play a Day-Night Test match. This is the beginning of something special in Indian cricket. It is a priority for the newly elected Office Bearers and members of Apex Council to take Indian cricket forward. For me, as former Captain of India and as the current President of BCCI, Test cricket is of utmost priority and we at BCCI will leave no stone unturned to bring this format back to its feet.
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“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.”
The BCCI and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced that the second Test match of the upcoming Bangladesh tour of India, 2019, scheduled to be played in Kolkata from November 22nd will be India’s first Day-Night Test match.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah, said: “It is a great day for Indian cricket. India will host Bangladesh in our first-ever Day-Night Test match at Eden Gardens. Sourav, myself and our team had an idea of revolutionizing Test cricket and this is our first step towards it. It was very important to start the process now since India does not play a lot of Test matches after the Bangladesh series. We thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for accepting our request for a Day-Night Test match on such a short notice.”
BCB and BCCI share a long history
BCB president Nazmul Hassan, said: “The BCB and BCCI share a very long history of support, co-operation and friendship. Ours is a bond of strength and it is very heartening and reassuring for the BCB to have someone like Mr Ganguly as BCCI President who has been an integral part of this journey. On that note, I am pleased that we have had a frank and constructive discussion with the players and Team Management. I have received a positive response about playing the Day-Night Test in view of the BCB-BCCI relationship.”
Updated 20:50 IST, October 29th 2019