June 13, 2008
Eden Garden - The Largest Cricket Stadium of India
Eden Garden is the oldest and the largest cricket stadium of India situated in Kolkata established in 1864. It has an exclusiveness of its own It is also one of the finest cricket stadium in the world. Eden Garden is exactly, the name of a park beside the stadium, but the park itself was so famous that the stadium was also named after it.
The first ever first-class match to be played here was in 1917-18, while the first Test match was against Douglas Jardine’s MCC in January 1934. Since then the ground has hosted the maximum number of Test matches at any venue in India.
As part of the renovation drive of the stadium durin
g the 1987 World Cup, where the final match was held, covered stands were built all around, with a modern Club House and pavilion. The Club House now houses the offices of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which is also the owner of Eden Garden. Floodlights were installed in the stadium on the eve of the five-nation tournament held to celebrate the CAB Diamond Jubilee. Another very much important fact is that Eden has a capacity of 1,00,000 spectators which is highest in India.
Eden Gardens holds the distinction of being the largest cricketing facility in the world. On the flip side, crowd violence has marred some of the key matches played in this ground. It is aso mentionable that the people of Kolkata cannot see thier team loosing at the Eden Garden. People here are specially attached and linked to the game. The Mexican Wave is very famous about the stadium that the fans create during the matches.
Factfile :
India holds the record for the highest Test score on the ground so far when they made 657-7 against Australia during the Series in 2000-01.
Indian also has the ignominy of scoring the lowest total at the ground when the West Indies restricted them to just 90. Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian to take a Test hat trick when he achieved the feat against Australia in 2000-01.
VVS Laxman’s historic 281 against the Australians in 2000/01 is the highest score at the ground.
Anil Kumble’s 12/6 vs. the West Indies in the finals of the Hero Cup is the best bowling figures in one dayers by an Indian.
