BCCI president Sourav Ganguly thanked fans who turned up in large numbers on Day 1 of India's first-ever D/N Test this Friday (November 22) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. At a facilitation ceremony where some of the country's former captains, players and even excellent athletes from other sports were recognised, Ganguly gave a dignified speech and talked up the historic nature of the occasion. 

"What we saw today at Eden Gardens is a huge step forward for Test cricket," he said. "It's you - all the people in this stadium - who make cricket such a popular game."

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"We at the BCCI and the CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) thank you whole-heartedly for turning out in huge numbers for the first ever pink ball Test match in Kolkata."

"Hopefully we will continue to see all of you turning up in Test matches, not just in Kolkata but throughout the country."

With Ganguly, present there were also  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several dignitaries from the BCCI and the CAB.

Besides some of Indian cricket's most celebrated stalwarts, inspirations of Sania Mirza, P.V. Sindhu and MC Mary Kom's calibre were also facilitated.

"Today the respect for BCCI increases a lot because you are supporting and inspiring athletes from other sports by felicitating them," said former opener Gautam Gambhir, part of the commentary team for the Test match. 

By the end of the day's play, India found itself already 68 runs ahead at 174/3 having bundled out the struggling visitors for just 106 earlier on.

 (Inputs from IANS)