Revamped Eden Gardens gears as much as host World Cup 2023 matches

Following months of renovation and a big facelift, the long-lasting Eden Gardens is all set to host the primary of its 5 World Cup matches involving Bangladesh and the Netherlands on Saturday.

Even although solely renovation and refurbishment was attainable to the current construction on the land owned by the Army, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) started its preparations for the World Cup months upfront and squeezed in all attainable fashionable facilities contained in the sprawling decades-old construction.

It started by switching to fashionable lighting, refurbishing the hanging press field and media centre, redesigning the interiors of the principle foyer, dressing rooms and company packing containers so as to add a contact of luxe.

New covers (which can be utilized to cowl the entire floor inside one-and-a-half minutes in case of rains), a much bigger and digital scoreboard, revamped washrooms for followers and a recent coat of paint are another aspects which have made the Eden worthy of internet hosting an enormous occasion.

Clubhouse of Eden Gardens after its renovation forward of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Netherlands.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Known for its lengthy and eventful historical past related to the sport, the Eden could have made a late entry into the show-piece occasion because of the Durga Puja festivities however it actually guarantees thrilling motion whereas staging the celebrated event for the fourth time.

In every of the earlier three editions, Eden was witness to drama. In 1987, it noticed Australia lifting its maiden World title. In 1996, it shed tears over the forgettable episode of the house crew conceding the semifinal to eventual champion Sri Lanka in weird circumstances resulting from crowd disturbances. And in 2011, the historic stadium performed host to a high-scoring tussle between minnows Ireland and Netherlands with the latter ending up on the dropping aspect regardless of placing up a 300-plus whole.

With the recent strips within the center anticipated to supply good contests between the bat and the ball, essentially the most recognisable sporting venue within the historic  maidan space of the town will proceed to be the centre of attraction over the following three weeks – till the semifinal on November 16.