photo source Wikipedia |
| Eden Gardens front facade photo source Wikipedia |
I would like to start with a brief overview of Eden Gardens, which is probably the most sacred cricket ground in India. The grounds were established in 1864 by sisters Emily and Fanny Eden, who were works of art in their own right and nieces of Governor-General Lord Auckland.
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| Match between the two countries' photo source Wikipedia |
Initially, the pitch was mainly used as a European recreation ground. However, starting in the 1880s, Indian clubs like the Town Club, Aryan Club, and others joined the fray at the urging of Sharda Ranjan Roy. It may be remembered that Narendranath Dutta (later Swami Vivekananda) took seven wickets in a single match, a feat that is rarely matched.
A series of Indian royal patrons also cemented the place of cricket at Eden. The Maharajas of Cooch Behar and Natore were among the most influential; their patronage ultimately won the stadium first-class status in 1917 and a Test match in 1934.
Eden Gardens is one of the second-largest cricket grounds in India today, with a seating capacity of about 68,000, and is a living reminder of the heritage of Indian cricket.
Now, shifting our gaze to the Calcutta Cricket Club (CCC), we may observe that it is one of the oldest clubs in the world. Although exact dates of foundation remain controversial, the majority of sources place the foundation of the club in the late eighteenth century.
The members used to play in open fields around Fort William or on the Maidan, but with the building of Eden Gardens in 1864, they finally had a permanent turf.
The CCC was initially a purely European affair, but the emergence of Indian talent, particularly the constant threat posed by the Town Club, undermined this exclusivity and, in the long run, resulted in the gradual integration of the club with other competing organizations into the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CCFC) of today.
Since its establishment, Eden Gardens has been mainly a venue for European competitions. However, with time, Indian clubs made their mark, and the venue took a central stage in the cricketing history of India. Cricket was originally a European sport. This scenario started to change in the 1880s when Sharda Ranjan Roy opened the Town Club, thus opening new doors to Indian involvement. Eventually, the Aryan, Kumartuli, and other associations were formed. Even the young Narendranath Datta, later to be worshipped as Swami Vivekananda, took seven wickets on his debut in the Town Club.
The first milestone was in 1917 when Eden Gardens played its first first-class game- between Maharaja XI of Cooch Behar and Governor XI of Bengal. This evolution preconditioned the appearance of the venue as an international destination. The MCC team of England toured India in 1932, and this was a new era of Anglo-Indian cricket diplomacy. However, the most important turning point was the hosting of the first Test match in India in 1934. England, under the captaincy of Bodyline Douglas Jardine, was the opposition. That match propelled Eden Gardens into the global cricket arena. Since then, the stadium has witnessed numerous glorious Tests, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 matches and has become a repository of cricketing history.
Eden Gardens is the home ground of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and the franchise often plans matchday experiences to leverage the stadium's connection with local fans. Besides the IPL, the ground has also been the venue of a number of Cricket World Cups, Test, ODI, and T20 matches. The general mood during match days, which is fuelled by drum bands, choreographed fireworks, and the active participation of fans, is incomparable. The stadium is therefore often referred to as the Mecca of Indian cricket.
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| Eden Gardens Block Map photo source Wikipedia |
The cradle of Indian cricket, Eden Gardens was first illuminated in Kolkata in 1864. By this time, the Calcutta Cricket Club (CCC) lacked a permanent ground; the team sometimes played at Fort William, and at other times held games in bare open spaces. The ground was eventually named after Governor-General Lord Auckland and his sisters Emily and Fanny Eden. A noble pavilion was then built, the architecture of which was very similar to that of the pavilion of the Lord.
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| Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15 Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club photo source Wikipedia |
Since its establishment, Eden Gardens has been mainly a venue for European competitions. However, with time, Indian clubs made their mark, and the venue took a central stage in the cricketing history of India. Cricket was originally a European sport. This scenario started to change in the 1880s when Sharda Ranjan Roy opened the Town Club, thus opening new doors to Indian involvement. Eventually, the Aryan, Kumartuli, and other associations were formed. Even the young Narendranath Datta, later to be worshipped as Swami Vivekananda, took seven wickets on his debut in the Town Club.
The reputation of Eden Gardens as a leading cricket stadium is largely due to its connection with some of the Maharajas of north-eastern India. The sport was underwritten by the rulers of Cooch Behar, Natore, Mymensingh and Rangpur in the late nineteenth century. The Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Nripendra Narayan, and Jagadindranath Roy of Natore were especially prominent in staging major fixtures in Kolkata.
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| India versus Uruguay match at Eden Gardens in Nehru Cup on 14 January 1984 photo source Wikipedia |
The first milestone was in 1917 when Eden Gardens played its first first-class game- between Maharaja XI of Cooch Behar and Governor XI of Bengal. This evolution preconditioned the appearance of the venue as an international destination. The MCC team of England toured India in 1932, and this was a new era of Anglo-Indian cricket diplomacy. However, the most important turning point was the hosting of the first Test match in India in 1934. England, under the captaincy of Bodyline Douglas Jardine, was the opposition. That match propelled Eden Gardens into the global cricket arena. Since then, the stadium has witnessed numerous glorious Tests, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 matches and has become a repository of cricketing history.
Fellow workers, we must first admit that Eden Gardens, which was a small playing field, has become a hub of Indian cricket culture. It currently has a capacity of about 68,000 spectators, making it the second-largest cricket stadium in India and the third-largest in the world. Wikipedia
In order to maintain this status, the management has spent a lot of money on modern infrastructure: climate-controlled floodlights, advanced drainage systems, and the latest dressing rooms for both teams. Facilities for the viewing audience are also quite spectacular, including gourmet restaurants to extensive retailing opportunities.
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| The Bell at the Eden Gardens |
Eden Gardens is the home ground of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and the franchise often plans matchday experiences to leverage the stadium's connection with local fans. Besides the IPL, the ground has also been the venue of a number of Cricket World Cups, Test, ODI, and T20 matches. The general mood during match days, which is fuelled by drum bands, choreographed fireworks, and the active participation of fans, is incomparable. The stadium is therefore often referred to as the Mecca of Indian cricket.
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