The cricket-crazy fans in Kolkata came, they watched and they applauded. But Indias maiden pink ball Test wouldnt have been possible had it not been for new BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. It was his vision and he left no stone unturned to ensure that India not only finally played a Day-Night Test, but also organised it in a manner that was nothing short of a spectacle.
Speaking to IANS, during the final session on the second day of the Test between India and Bangladesh, Ganguly said it almost felt like it was a World Cup final being played at the historic ground. “Just take a look around (fans with their camera lights on to click pictures). Do you see this? Have you seen this in Test cricket? When was the last time you had a capacity crowd watching a Test match? Feels like it is a World Cup final,” he smiled.
The satisfaction to see his efforts bear fruit was clearly visible but what the pink ball Test also did was took him back to the famous 2001 Test between India and Australia that changed the graph of Ganguly, the captain. “Oh! It is an absolutely amazing feeling. Feels great. Look for yourself. It brings back memories of the 2001 Test match if you ask me. This is what Test cricket should be, packed stadiums,” he said.
Does it bring joy that his effort resulted in such a beautiful outcome that even someone like a Rahul Dravid said he would have loved to be a part of Day-Night Tests? Ganguly’s joy knew no bounds.
“It is very kind of him. Feels very good when your teammates compliment you. Coming from him, it is special. I am very happy. Yes, it is a very satisfying feeling,” he said.
Does he also miss being a part of the pink ball era? “You cannot say that as we have all had our time. When we were playing, the T20 had just come in and look at how it has spread and now this. So you cannot think that way,” he smiled.
