ICC World Cup 2023 is just around the corner and among the World Cup stadiums which are getting ready to host the biggest event of the Indian sporting calendar, is the iconic Eden Gardens which will be hosting five matches including the semi-final on November 16.
In an exclusive interview with CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) President Snehashish Ganguly, spoke about the transformation taking place at Eden Gardens in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. From changes in the stadium’s infrastructure to the challenges of ticket availability, Ganguly provided insights into the efforts behind the scenes to ensure that Eden Gardens is ready to host this prestigious event.
Can you tell us more about how Eden has changed, and how you’ve been working hard on the preparations?
Certainly. You can witness the remarkable changes at Eden Gardens as soon as you enter. The lobby has undergone a complete makeover, and we’ve made massive improvements throughout the stadium. This includes revamping the upper and lower cabin boxes and corporate boxes and making our corporate box one of the best in the country. The ground itself is in fabulous shape, with various enhancements made under the gallery. We are also repainting the entire stadium, giving it a fresh, new look. Additionally, we’ve replaced the chairs in the lower and upper-tier clubhouse. These changes began immediately after the completion of the IPL, all in preparation for the World Cup.
Could you share more details about the outfield changes at Eden Gardens?
We’ve made significant changes to the outfield as well. We have the capability to cover the entire field in just 3 minutes if there’s rain. Our team of 90 people works diligently to achieve this. We’re also making design modifications to meet the World Cup standards. The wickets at Eden Gardens are exceptionally firm, making it incomparable. Expect all matches to be high-scoring and full of excitement.
Is there a ticket crunch for the World Cup matches at Eden Gardens?
Yes, there is a ticket crunch. We are currently short by another 60,000 tickets, while our capacity is 65,000. Ideally, it would have been better if our capacity were 120,000. There is immense pressure on us, but we’re doing our best. Tickets are available online, and we must adhere to the norms set by the BCCI and ICC. We are even sacrificing our own quota because this is the ICC World Cup, and many aspects are controlled by them. The World Cup fever is running high, especially since our last World Cup was in 2011, with the last semi-finals held in the 90s. We are very excited about it.
Will Sourav Ganguly and other cricketing stars be present at the Eden Gardens World Cup matches?
Eden Gardens hosting a World Cup match without Sourav Ganguly is not possible. He will definitely be there. However, we are uncertain about whether we can invite other cricketing stars or not.
Which teams do you consider as strong contenders for the World Cup?
Obviously, India is a strong contender, especially after their recent victory in the Asia Cup, with players like Virat Kohli in top form. England, New Zealand, and Pakistan are also performing well and are considered favourites.
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