Mohor Chaudhuri
As India gear up to take on the current World Test champions, South Africa, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is preparing for a spectacle. The historic venue, known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate cricket fans, is expected to be almost full for the highly anticipated five-day encounter scheduled from November 14 to 18 in the City of Joy. Kolkata is set to host a Test after a long gap of six years and the excitement among fans is palpable. There is a constant buzz among cricket enthusiasts regarding tickets as they are all eagerly waiting to watch Shubman Gill and team in action.
From diehard cricket fans to families eager to witness Test match royalty, everyone is rushing to grab their spot in the stands. Sources within the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) confirmed that over 95% of tickets for the first three days have been sold out and there is also great demand for the complimentary ones, signaling the city’s immense passion for the longest format of the game. “The response among fans has been extremely impressive with tickets getting almost sold out for the first three days and the ticket sale for the final two days will be dependent on how the match progresses,” Bablu Koley, the CAB secretary, told RevSportz.
The celebration will begin a day ahead of the match with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Lecture on November 13, to be delivered by Sunil Gavaskar, which would definitely add a touch of nostalgia to the build-up. A special commemorative coin has been prepared for the toss, featuring the BCCI logo on one side and the Cricket South Africa emblem on the other, symbolising the deep cricketing bond and the camaraderie between the two nations. The occasion will also witness a special moment as Sourav Ganguly presents a replica of the Freedom Trophy to Gavaskar, honoring his irreplaceable legacy and rejoicing in the spirit of the rivalry.
Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner has personally inspected the venue to ensure a smooth and secure event. Security arrangements have been tightened with great vigilance to ensure a safe cricketing experience in the wake of the recent issues elsewhere. Koley stated: “We have not been told anything specifically, but yes, certain things did come up in the discussions, and we have taken adequate care of those.”
The high-voltage clash is yet another opportunity for India to reaffirm their revival in red-ball cricket, with a young ‘gun’ team expected to light up the field. With stands expected to be packed and anticipation building by the day, Eden Gardens is all set to echo with chants of “India, India” as two cricketing titans lock horns to assert dominance and claim the prestigious trophy.
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