The ICC had earlier allowed the traditional format of cricket to be played with a pink ball in a floodlight. However, it started four years ago in 2015 at the Adelaide Oval between Australia and New Zealand. Eight countries had played it since then. The remaining two countries are going to play their first day-night Test in India and Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens from Friday. Situation is that Kolkata has been transformed into pink color for many days for the match. From the office of Kolkata Cricket Association to the buildings of 'City of Joy', the lights are shining with pink lights. All tickets for the first four days of Eden Gardens with a capacity of 67 thousand have been sold.
There will also be concerts to further brighten India's first day-night test. Both teams, former captains, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also join it. Runa Laila and Jeet Ganguly will perform. Star Olympian shooter Abhinav Bindra, Boxer SC Mary Kom and PV Sindhu will be honored.
It will start at 1 pm. The last two seasons of the match will be played under floodlights. To make the historic Test more memorable, the BCCI has sent a special invitation to former captains Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, who gave India the first World Cup under his captaincy, veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble. During the tea break, special carts will make rounds in the stadium, in which the former captain will sit.
The Indian team is looking strong in their first day-night Test. India won the first Test in Indore by three innings and 130 runs. Virat Brigade has a great chance to win their 12th consecutive series at home. Dew will also be a challenge for the players after sunset. It will be interesting to see how both teams and fielders deal with the pink ball challenge.
