In a euphoric response to the pink-ball contest, close to 50,000 fans attended India's maiden Day-Night Test against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens. And the credit for this success entirely goes to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who first convinced both the teams and then organised it in a manner that was nothing short of a spectacle.
Although the pink-ball Test lasted only three days with India thrashing the visitors by an innings and 46 runs, Ganguly felt it was like a World Cup final being played at the historic ground.
“Just take a look around (fans with their camera lights on to click pictures). Do you see this? Have you seen this in Test cricket? When was the last time you had a capacity crowd watching a Test match? Feels like it is a World Cup final,” he told IANS.
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The jam-packed Eden Gardens also promoted Ganguly to recall the famous 2001 Test between India and Australia.
“Oh! It is an absolutely amazing feeling. Feels great. Look for yourself. It brings back memories of the 2001 Test match if you ask me. This is what Test cricket should be, packed stadiums,” he said.
Asked if he misses being a part of the pink-ball era, the BCCI chief replied: “You cannot say that as we have all had our time. When we were playing, the T20 had just come in and look at how it has spread and now this. So you cannot think that way.”
Ganguly decided to play the waiting game when enquired if things will only get bigger and better now that the first pink-ball Test has been played.
“Too early to talk of the future. We will all sit down and discuss the way ahead after this one. But just imagine the frenzy if you have teams like England, South Africa and Australia playing pink ball Tests against India. Think what the crowd will get to witness,” he pointed.
Virat Kohli became the first Indian batsman to crack a century in Day-Night Test and Ganguly had a special praise reserved for the skipper.
“Oh he is just brilliant. What a knock. I have played alongside some of the best and he definitely belongs in that category. Just a pleasure to watch the consistency with which he scores runs. He is a run-machine,” he said.
Team India’s next Test assignment is a two-match series in New Zealand and Ganguly is confident that Kohli and company can deliver good results away from home as well.
“I will not compare this bowling attack with the ones in the past, but this is a very good attack. New Zealand are a good team. At home, in their own conditions, it will be challenging but I am hopeful Virat and the boys will do well there as well,” he said.
(Inputs from IANS)
