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Bangladesh agrees to play day-night Test match against India at Eden Gardens on November 22
It is to be noted that on Monday (October 28), BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had expressed hope that Bangladesh will agree to play the first-ever Day/Night Test between the two countries.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday officially confirmed to take part in the day-night Test match against India at Eden Gardens on November 22. This will be a pink ball test match. It is to be noted that on Monday (October 28), BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had expressed hope that Bangladesh will agree to play the first-ever Day/Night Test between the two countries.
“I’m pleased to announce that our long-term partner BCB has graciously agreed to play a Day-Night Test match. This is the beginning of something special in Indian cricket. It is a priority for the newly elected Office Bearers and members of Apex Council to take Indian cricket forward. For me, as former Captain of India and as the current President of BCCI, Test cricket is of utmost priority and we at BCCI will leave no stone unturned to bring this format back to its feet," BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said.
“In this effort of ours, Day-Night Test cricket is a huge step forward and we believe it will bring back the crowd into stadiums and a whole lot of young children to the sport. I am extremely honoured that the Eden Gardens will host the inaugural Day-Night Test match and the Cricket Association of Bengal will create a spectacle for everyone to watch. I thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Mr. Nazmul Hassan and his team for accepting our request on such a short notice. I also thank India Captain Mr. Virat Kohli for his co-operation," he added.
For his part, BCB's head of cricket operations and former skipper Akram Khan, had said that some players may not like the idea of playing under lights with pink ball but it seems that the BCB has managed to convince its players to play the first-ever Day/Night Test between the two countries with pink ball. Akram, however, had said that it is a great initiative.
Ganguly had asked the BCB to inform about their decision as soon as possible so that preparation gets underway without wasting any time. Sources said that the BCCI is also planning to India's legendary Olympians like Abhinav Bindra, M C Mary Kom and P V Sindhu and felicitate them before the start of Test match on November 22.