More than 50,000 spectators expected on first three days for historic day-night Test at Eden Gardens

India is gearing up for a historic moment later this month. On November 22, the iconic Eden Gardens will host India’s first-ever day-night Test when the Virat Kohli-led side takes on Bangladesh in the second Test of the two-match series. Interestingly, Bangladesh will also make their debut in the day-night Test through the same game.

Both the teams were reluctant in the past to try out playing Tests under lights. The first-ever pink-ball Test took place way back in 2015 when Australia hosted New Zealand in the historic game. Since then, the likes of Pakistan, West Indies, England and South Africa have got a taste of it. However, India and Bangladesh were reluctant as they had reservations over the conditions and the pink ball.

But both the teams have finally agreed to join the day-night Test bandwagon. And BCCI is leaving no stone unturned to make it a grand affair. Eden Gardens is expected to witness a turnout of more than 50,000 spectators on the first three days of the much-awaited game. The Cricket Association of Bengal announced the news on Twitter on Saturday.

“More than 50,000 people to witness India’s first Pink Ball D/N Test at Eden Gardens each day for the first three days as demand for tickets shoot through the roof,” the Cricket Association of Bengal tweeted.

More than 50,000 people to witness India's first #PinkBall D/N Test at #EdenGardens each day for first three days as demand for tickets shoot through the roof. #BetheChange @SGanguly99 @BCCI#IndvBanTest

— CABCricket (@CabCricket) November 9, 2019

A CAB official also gave a breakup of the 50,000 tickets. The official revealed that out of those 50,000 tickets, 17,000 were sold online while the remaining were distributed among affiliated members. He also made it clear that the demand for the ticket is ‘really high’. The official further revealed that the remaining tickets will be sold through counters from 14 of this month.

“It’s for the first three days and the demands are really high. Rest 16,000-odd will go for counter sales after November 14. We are expecting a full house,” the official was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

A star-studded affair at Eden Gardens

Apart from the fans, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has also made sure to invite a host of big names. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will ring the customary Eden Bell to start the proceedings on day one. Union home minister Amit Shah, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankar as well as several other big names will also attend the game.

The CAB will also felicitate a host of Indian sports stars including the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, tennis star Sania Mirza, world badminton champion PV Sindhu and six-time boxing world champion MC Mary Kom.

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