Everytime I walk into Eden Gardens, I feel enthralled. Is it because of the fact that my city has such a historic & iconic cricket stadium? Is it because whenever I start walking around the stadium, the Gavaskars, Imrans, Sachins, Souravs & Rohits start talking to me? Emotions kept aside, I think one of the main reasons for my excitement is because of the matches Eden Gardens has gifted us over the years.
I know, when I speak of The Eden, the first things that come to mind must be that famous follow-on featuring VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid or the Hero Cup final where Sachin Tendulkar (for a change) bowled India to a famous win or the cursed World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka or Rohit Sharma’s swashbuckling 264. But this ground has given us some brilliant T20 matches as well. Let’s take a trip down memory lane ahead of the first T20I between India & England.
- The rain and the Kohli masterclass.
India vs Pakistan. Blockbuster, everytime. Eden Gardens acted as the perfect box office as the two teams went head-to-head in a Super 10 T20 World Cup match on 19th March, 2016. Rain interrupted proceedings early. Due to the world class drainage facility at Eden (courtesy then CAB secretary, Sourav Ganguly) the ground was ready in a flash.
However, overs were reduced to 18. On a turner, Pakistan limped and struggled to 118 in their 18 overs. The spinners conceded only 36 runs in their 8 overs, less than 5 an over, validating MS Dhoni’s team selection. 118 suddenly looked 200 plus when India was reduced to 23-3 in just 4.4 overs. Left arm seamers have always troubled India. The peak Mohammad Amir breathed fire by getting the peak Rohit Sharma and conceded just 11 in his 3 overs.
Mohammad Sami proved why experience is considered an asset in crucial matches by chipping out Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. Yuvraj Singh joined hands with Virat Kohli in the middle. And then came the masterclass from the chase master. Kohli batted on a completely different track it seemed. Everything hit the middle of his bat. Starting watchfully, Kohli enthralled the packed Eden crowd by unfurling an array of exquisite strokes as Pakistan had no answers to one of the modern day’s greatest batters.
After reaching his fifty, Kohli raised his bat & probably a silent toast to his idol, the great Sachin Tendulkar in the crowd. Tendulkar stood up, appreciated as the whole world took note of a worthy successor to the throne. The circle was completed in the 2023 World Cup, 7 years later, when Kohli repeated the celebration after reaching his 50th ODI hundred at the Wankhede in Mumbai. Kohli turned that tricky, nerve-wrecking chase into a cakewalk in the end. India marched home with 13 balls to spare.
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- Carlos Brathwaite – Remember The Name!
The iconic Eden Gardens had the privilege of hosting the T20 World Cup final in the same year. India bowed out to West Indies in the semi-final despite another Virat Kohli special. West Indies and England faced each other in the World Cup final. It was an encounter for the ages. England managed to get 155 while batting first, thanks to the two J’s, Joe Root & Jos Buttler.
-The magic of Root continued with the ball as he got rid of both the openers, Johnson Charles & Chris Gayle in his opening over, only the second over of the West Indies innings. West Indies played a more or less catch-up game from there on. Marlon Samuels settled down and played the perfect anchor but it was just not enough. Something had to give. England captain Morgan turned to his trusted ally, Ben Stokes to bowl the final over of the match. On strike was Carlos Brathwaite who had faced only 6 balls till then.
West Indies needed 19 off the last over to lift another World Cup. England needed to do what they had done for the rest of the match. What followed next has been etched in the minds of the cricket lovers & the history books forever. Brathwaite smashed four gigantic sixes off the first four balls to seal the World Cup for the Windies.
The crowd went euphoric, Ben Stokes had his hands on knees, his face covered as the mighty Ian Bishop roared from the commentary box – ‘Carlos Brathwaite, Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name! History for the West Indies!’ The Windies captain Darren Sammy later mentioned in the post match presentations how difficult it has been for them all along this tournament. The team came to India almost bankrupt, having no support from their cricket board whatsoever and this win was special, for reasons more than just one. The cricketing gods smiled as West Indies reclaimed the cricketing throne that night.
Funny, how life and cricket both turn a full circle very quickly. Fast-forward to the 2019 World Cup final, Stokes was the centre of attention yet again as England lifted the World Cup under captain Eoin Morgan. The crestfallen Stokes to the triumphant Stokes – world cricket saw it all.
Eden Gardens has always been historic & it is only fitting that the new-look T20 Indian side starts their dress rehearsal for the 2026 T20 World Cup today from Indian cricket’s Mecca itself.
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