It feels almost unreal, but the last time Eden Gardens hosted a Test match was in November 2019, when India played Bangladesh in the country’s first-ever pink-ball Test. That unforgettable evening glow under lights marked the beginning of one era, and, as it turned out, a six-year pause for Kolkata’s most iconic cricket venue.
Among those who featured then, only Ravindra Jadeja remains in the current squad preparing to face South Africa from Friday, a living bridge between Ishant Sharma’s pace swing and India’s new generation of quicks.
For a ground that once held the record for hosting the most Test matches in India, the gap is jarring. From 1934 to 2019, Eden Gardens was the spiritual home of Indian Test cricket, a coliseum where history was written in whites.
Rotation And Realignment
So what kept Eden off the Test map for so long? Insiders point to the BCCI’s rotation policy, designed to distribute matches evenly across India. The idea, to promote cricket in smaller centres, has turned out to be a double-edged sword. While “B” city venues have flourished, established centres like Kolkata have had to wait their turn.
In recent years, the real battle among state associations has shifted, not for the five-day format, but for white-ball fixtures that promise larger sponsorship deals and TV eyeballs. Test matches, despite their heritage, have become harder to secure.
Kohli’s Call for Five-Test Centres
This debate isn’t new. When South Africa last toured India in 2019, all three Tests were played at venues hosting only their second-ever Test, Visakhapatnam, Pune and Ranchi. Then-captain Virat Kohli had been scathing about the policy:
In my opinion, we should have five Test centres, period. Rotation is fine for white-ball cricket, but Test cricket deserves consistency, teams should know where they’re playing and what to expect.
His comments still resonate as India prepares to play the second Test of the series at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, which will make its debut as a Test venue. Notably, BCCI secretary Devojit Saikia hails from Assam, and many see his influence in the venue’s rapid rise.
Politics and Pitch Power
Behind every Test alocation lies a web of cricket politics. The BCCI’s rotation system has its share of beneficiaries, from the state bodies gaining exposure to IPL franchises expanding their footprint. Rajasthan Royals, for example, have hosted two of their “home” games in Assam, aligning with one of their co-owners’ regional interests.
It’s this complex blend of politics, policy and promotion that explains why Eden, the ground that once hosted Sachin’s farewell, VVS’s miracle and Harbhajan’s hat-trick, had to wait this long.
The City of Joy Still Cares
Yet, despite the six-year drought, Kolkata’s passion remains unshaken. “The Test match has been sold out,” declared Sourav Ganguly, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, earlier this week.
The announcement has reignited the city’s cricketing heartbeat. After years of white-ball saturation post-Covid, fans are ready for five days of rhythm, patience and artistry. The question now is simple, does the City of Joy still have the appetite for the slow-burn charm of Test cricket?
We’ll find out soon enough.
