Ever wondered what it feels like to stand where legends were made? You are now in front of the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This isn’t just a cricket stadium. Eden Gardens is a testament to India’s unwavering passion for the sport.
Established in 1864, Eden Gardens is the oldest cricket stadium in India. It’s also the third-largest in the world. Some even call Eden Gardens the “Mecca of Indian cricket”. Others describe it as “cricket’s answer to the Colosseum”.
Originally, the area was named Auckland Circus Gardens. It was later renamed Eden Gardens in 1841. There are a couple of stories about the name. Some say it was named after the Eden sisters. They were Emily and Fanny. They were related to Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India. Another story says a landlord gifted the garden to Lord Auckland. This was after Auckland helped save his daughter from a fatal disease.
For many years, Eden Gardens had a capacity of approximately 40,000. Renovations in 1987 expanded the seating to 100,000. Further renovations for the 2011 Cricket World Cup reduced capacity to the current 68,000.
Eden Gardens has witnessed some of cricket’s most memorable moments. In 1996, a record crowd of 110,564 attended the Cricket World Cup semi-final here. The stadium hosted the 1987 Cricket World Cup Final. It also hosted the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final.
But Eden Gardens isn’t just about cricket. In 1980, a stampede occurred during a football match. Sixteen people died in that tragic event. The stadium has also hosted football matches in the Nehru Cup.
The stands at Eden Gardens are named after famous cricketers and soldiers. Sourav Ganguly and Pankaj Roy have stands named after them. So do Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair and Havildar Hangpan Dada. Jhulan Goswami will also have a stand dedicated to her.
Steve Waugh called Eden Gardens the Lord’s of the subcontinent. Sourav Ganguly said the roar of the crowd here was the loudest he had ever heard. In 2016, a bell was added to signal the start of play. Kapil Dev rang it for the first time.
Many records have been set and broken here at Eden Gardens. V.V.S. Laxman holds the record for most Test runs scored here. Sachin Tendulkar holds the ODI record. Rohit Sharma scored the highest ever ODI individual score here in 2014.
Eden Gardens has seen moments of glory and moments of heartbreak. It’s a place where history has been written. Take a moment to soak in the atmosphere. Feel the energy. Eden Gardens is more than a stadium. It’s a living, breathing monument to the beautiful game.