India is scheduled to host South Africa at the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the inaugural Test of their two-match series later this November. This will be the resumption of Test cricket at Eden Gardens since November 2019, when India played their first pink-ball Test ever against Bangladesh at the same ground.
Kolkata was initially to host the second India-West Indies Test in October. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) then announced a change, shifting that match to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. This is one of a string of changes to the 2024-25 home season schedule.
The move by the BCCI to exchange the Test matches between Delhi and Kolkata was motivated by a desire to compensate Eden Gardens, according to authorities at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The stadium lost the right to host the final of the IPL 2025 when it was shifted to the Narendraa Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as a result of poor weather conditions in Kolkata.
In retrospect, the recent two Test matches hosted at Eden Gardens – India vs Sri Lanka in 2017 and India vs Bangladesh in 2019 had fast bowlers taking advantage of the conditions. However, with the likes of South Africa’s impressive pace attack scheduled to play, India would be hoping to have a spin-friendly pitch to get a home gain this time.
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Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee spoke with The Telegraph on June 10, saying, “A good pitch with a decent amount of grass will be prepared for the Test.” Two of the middle pitches will be prepared for the match, he said. Though the pitches will not be re-laid entirely, top-dressing—a procedure where a blend of sand and soil is applied will be undertaken to enhance grass coverage and overall pitch health.
Mukherjee also sounded confident about fulfilling requests from the Indian team management if they want a spin-friendly surface for the Test.
Aside from the pitch, Eden Gardens’ outfield will also be cored to make it look even greener and lush for the match.
With the iconic Eden Gardens set to stage this glamourous Test, there is all to expect in some see-sawing cricket in a sumptuously traditional stadium thronged with fervent fans.
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