The first-ever day-night Test in India concluded on Sunday with a blast of colors. The men in blue won the match against Bangladesh by an innings and 46 runs. Every one showered praises on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Sourav Ganguly in his efforts to make the host Kolkata of the first pink-ball Test.
After taking charge as president, Ganguly put forward his idea convincing boards of India as well as Bangladesh to renew Test ties between both the countries. This went a long way as the tickets were sold out instantly and the Eden Gardens saw Indians taking the upper hand on Bangladesh.
Looking at the crowded Eden Gardens, Ganguly felt the atmosphere of the day-night Test was just like that of the World Cup final.
“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,” – Ganguly said.
The opening day of the pink ball match saw the legendary like Sachin Tendulkar, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former captains Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble joining the event.
Dravid said that he would have loved to be a part of pink-ball Tests. Ganguly felt honored.
“It is very kind of him (Rahul Dravid). Feels very good when your teammates compliment you. Coming from him, it is special. I am very happy. Yes, it is a very satisfying feeling,” -Ganguly said.
“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.
Other Indian sports personalities, including PV Sindhu, Sania Mirza, Mary Kom and Viswanathan Anand, also watched the match.
