By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
Kolkata : The second India-Pakistan Test starts here Friday but crowds are already besieging the Eden Gardens Stadium. Old timers say they have never seen so many people on the eve of any international match at the venue.
Daljit Singh, head of the Indian cricket board’s ground and wicket committee, who has had a long association with Kolkata – one reason is that his late wife was from this city – was among those who wondered loudly what so many people, many carrying cameras, were doing on the hallowed turf of the Eden.
“I have never seen so many people a day before the game, and my Eden Gardens association goes a long way back,” Daljit Singh told IANS.
Daljit, a former Punjab Ranji Trophy player, is here to oversee the pitch preparation for the Test.
***
Light blue and beige for Eden Gardens
All the spectators’ seats at the imposing Eden Gardens have been painted in two colours – light blue and beige. And without any spectator Thursday, they presented a beautiful sight. Someone in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) chose to mix the two colours beautifully, alternating them every 15-20 seats throughout the circular ground.
Viewed from the press box, the highest point of the stadium, it presents a magnificent view. As workers either applied a fresh coat of paint or cleaned the seats, the colours stood out attractive and bright.
The seating capacity has, however, lessened after the CAB installed bucket seats in about half of the stadium, which previously accommodated 100,000 people or more.
Some seats are still cemented ones, but all have a backrest. But viewed from the top, they look like fixed bucket seats. All seats, including the cemented ones, are numbered.
***
A ‘hanging’ press box
The press box at the Eden Gardens is unique in some respects. Not only is it the highest point of viewing the action, but it also gives the impression from a distance at if it is hanging from the high ceiling at the Club House End.
The press box is built on six pillars and heavy iron beams and can accommodate a maximum of 210 people. It is also air-conditioned and has a well laid out carpet. But there are a few drawbacks.
There are no toilets attached to the press box. These can be accessed at the lower tier, for which one has to climb down many dicey stairs and pass through spectators.