IND v BAN 2019: Kohli would be happy to see a jam-packed Eden Gardens for D/N Test, says Ganguly

Team India set to make their pink-ball debut against Bangladesh in Kolkata on November 22.

The iconic Eden Gardens will host the first ever day-night Test in India | Getty

Among the major Test playing nations, India is the only team not to have featured in a day-night Test. But with Sourav Ganguly taking charge as BCCI president, the No.1 side is set to play its first Test under lights against the touring Bangladesh side in Kolkata from November 22-26.

MUST WATCH: Indian players practice under lights ahead of the pink-ball Test 

Earlier, Virat Kohli and company had some reservations against pink-ball Test but the new BCCI boss didn’t take any time to convince the Indian captain.

In order to pull spectators to the stands, Ganguly is advocating for day-night Test in India for the last three years. And on Sunday (November 17), he once again stressed on the same, saying five-day cricket "needed rejuvenation" to revive interest in the game's traditional format.

India's last series against South Africa witnessed a poor turnout but the tickets for the first three days of the pink ball Test have already been sold out.

"That's the way forward. Test cricket needed a rejuvenation," Ganguly quoted as saying by PTI.

"It happens all around the world. Somewhere it had to start. India is the biggest country in terms of cricket. I think that rejuvenation was important."

During his stint as CAB president, Ganguly had successfully organised an India-Pakistan marquee World T20 clash in 2016 at a short notice, after it was shifted out of Dharamsala. However, he said staging the day-night Test is more challenging.

"The challenge was to get people back into the ground. An India-Pakistan match would anyways get filled anywhere in the world. You just announce it and the crowd will be filled," the former India skipper remarked.

"This was much more difficult and we managed to fill 65,000 on each of the first three days. It feels more satisfying."

Ganguly said captain Kohli would be pleased to see a full house when he walks out to bat against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens.

"He is a great player and he should be playing in front of packed house. He will be happy to see it full house when he walks out to bat on day one. You will love the atmosphere at the Eden so come and watch."

"This was much more difficult and we managed to fill 65,000 on each of the first three days. It feels more satisfying."

"You can't have greats of the Indian cricket play in front of empty stands. And here you will have full house for the first three days."

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 18 Nov, 2019

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