Eden Gardens Set for Test Cricket Return After Six-Year Hiatus
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata is preparing to host its first Test match since November 2019, marking a significant return for one of cricket's most hallowed grounds. This historic venue will witness India taking on the reigning World Test Championship holders, South Africa, in a two-match series opener starting Friday and concluding next Tuesday.
The Last Test: A Historic Pink Ball Affair
The last time cricket fans witnessed Test action at Eden Gardens was during a groundbreaking day-night match against Bangladesh from November 22-24, 2019. This wasn't just another Test match - it represented India's first-ever experience playing with the pink ball under lights, creating a memorable chapter in the country's cricketing history.
Since that historic encounter, the landscape of Indian cricket has undergone dramatic changes. Virat Kohli, who captained India in that match and scored a magnificent century, has since retired from international cricket. He's joined in retirement by several teammates from that game including Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
While players like Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma continue playing professionally, they've moved away from the national team setup. The sole survivor from that 2019 playing XI who remains in the Indian Test squad is the versatile Ravindra Jadeja, included for the upcoming South Africa series.
Reliving the Historic Pink Ball Test Victory
The 2019 day-night Test proved to be a dominant display by the Indian team, wrapping up within just three days. Bangladesh batted first and struggled dramatically against India's pace attack, being bundled out for a mere 106 runs in their first innings.
The bowling highlights included:
- Ishant Sharma claiming 5 wickets
- Umesh Yadav snapping up 3 wickets
- Mohammad Shami chipping in with 2 wickets
India's response began shakily with openers Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal falling early at 43/2. However, Cheteshwar Pujara (55) and Virat Kohli stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership. Kohli played a commanding innings, scoring his 27th Test century before eventually departing after making 136 magnificent runs. Supported by Ajinkya Rahane's half-century, India declared their first innings at 347/9.
Bangladesh showed slightly more resistance in their second innings, posting 195 runs, but it wasn't enough to avoid an innings and 46-run defeat. Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 74 runs, while Ishant Sharma (4 wickets) and Umesh Yadav (5 wickets) again proved destructive with the pink ball.
A New Era at Eden Gardens
As Eden Gardens prepares to welcome Test cricket back after six years, the upcoming India-South Africa clash represents more than just another match. It symbolizes the transition between cricketing generations and the enduring legacy of one of India's most celebrated cricket grounds. While the heroes of the 2019 pink ball Test have mostly moved on, their historic achievements under the Kolkata lights remain etched in cricketing memory.
