It was once famously quoted by an anonymous gentleman that- “A cricketer’s cricketing education is not complete till he has played in front of a packed Eden Gardens.”
Yes! I am that very Eden Gardens. The Fallen King.
Once considered a Undisputed “mecca of cricket” in India,I stand in the midst of shame and embarrasement now.As the cricket’s greatest show-piece arrives on the doorsteps of the subcontinent,the cricketing Lords of ICC declared me not worthy of being a part of it(The India vs England match sheduled on 27th February is going to be shifted out of Eden ).The writing was probably on the wall,a long time ago.
A victim of mis-management and ill-treatment ,something deep inside asks-”Is this the end of Eden Gardens?Did i really deserve this?”
But this old heart isn’t quite giving up yet.I still believe i will defy the odds to rise up once again.Come what may,the pride of Kolkata will fight back!
As the tears of pain roll down my cheeks ,my mind goes back to those years of greatness! A faint consolation now perhaps!
Home to the most emotional and passionate of fans in the world,I was established in 1864 in the heart of the city of joy-Kolkata.I take pride in hosting a incredible 120,000 viciferous cricket fans and most importantly some wonderful cricket matches over the years.The first recorded Test here was in 1934 between India and England, where as the first One Day International in 1987 featured India and Sri Lanka.Sporting floodlights,I had one of those intimidating views which can never be missed.A sort of a fortress containing hundred thousand loud cricket-lovers who took the cricketing experience to a whole new level.Most notably in 1987,when an unofficial source claimed that I hosted an amazing number of 390,000 people(far more than my official capacity).The Bengal Cricket Board was reprimanded by the ICC but by that time i had shown the world that what is it like to be in Eden Gardens!
My proudest moment also dates back to 1987 when,i was given the honour of hosting the Final of the World Cup .An young Australia emerged victorious in the most thrilling World Cup Final Match ever,getting the better of the mighty English.
From Kapil Dev‘s hattrick in 1991 to the one by the Harbhajan Singh, i have always been witness to some of the amazing indivudual performances! But one that always stands out in my memory is VVS Laxman‘s famous 281 against Australia! India recorded one of the greatest “come back from behind” victories of all time courtesy of that “very very special” knock! A great moment indeed.
However apart from the 1987 final,World Cups have always been a bit of dissapointment for me.A disastrous opening ceremony in 1996 World Cup followed by a nasty fan-riot following an Indian batting collapse in the semis, hampered my reputation somewhat.
In 1999, when the leading Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar was run out after colliding with Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, the volatile crowd thought that Akhtar had impeded Tendulkar and rioted, forcing the police to evacuate the stadium.
In 2007, cricket took a giant leap with the advent of the Indian Premier League.A new Cricket enriched with Glamour arrived! And So there I was,the host of my new home team-The Shah-Rukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders.No that i am not a fan of Shah Rukh Khan,but the old man i was,i was a bit intimidated by this new “glamour-rich” cricket which had some sort of “cheer-leader girls” dancing all around my boundaries! :P A some-what new experience with music,dance and cricket,THE EDEN GARDENS was upto it(Apart the odd Black-out though).All of a sudden the “INDIA-INDIA” chants were replaced by “Korbo Lorbo Jitbo”!! Those were the Fun days for sure.
Slowly as these moments flash before my eyes,i return to my harsh reality.Not able to meet the International Standards despite the recent renovations,I feel a tad devasted.
Who is responsible for it? CAB? BCCI? or someone else? But it dosen’t matter now.Its all over.At this hour of crisis,I urge my fellow Kolkatans and Indians to stand beside me.
Keep the faith,keep the belief!
The fallen King will rise once again!
“SPECIAL NOTE-I am generally a football writer with a very limited knowledge about cricket.However as a Kolkatan i was deeply hurt by Eden’s ommision.I deeply appologize if i have dissapointed the cricket lovers due to my lack of cricket knowledge.”
Final Reads : 640 : Pts 5/10
Editorial Score : Pts 8/10
Total Pts : 13/20
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