Weather: N.A.
Time Required: 1-2 hours
Entry Fee: Dependent on events/matches being played
Overview of Eden Gardens in Kolkata
The Eden Gardens, Kolkata’s home of cricket, is a stunning, well-kept cricket stadium situated in the B. B. D. Bagh neighborhood, close to the State Secretariat and Calcutta High Court. The foundation for it was laid in 1864 by Governor-General Auckland, who gave his sisters Emily and Fanny Eden‘s names to the gardens and cricket field. This cricket stadium is the second largest stadium in the world, covering 50 acres and holding 66,349 spectators. Eden Gardens also serves as a charming vacation spot for nature lovers when it’s not hosting some of the most exciting sporting events.
Huge mahogany, mango, and banyan trees that provide shade over the lush pathways of Eden Gardens make it a tranquil place to sit and take in the wonders of nature. Additionally, there is a red and golden yellow three-story Burmese pagoda that Lord Dalhousie brought to the area. Numerous sports are played at Eden Gardens Stadium, but cricket is the most important one because it is played directly across from the garden. It frequently hosts one-day, test, and T20 matches and is a very well-known sporting venue. The local Bengal Cricket Team and the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders currently call it home. Numerous Association Matches have been held at Eden Garden in the past. When there are no matches taking place, you can visit the stadium. You must obtain permission from the CAB, or Cricket Association of Bengal, in order to do so.
History of Eden Gardens
Due to a number of influences, Eden Gardens, originally known as the “Aukland Circus Garden,” was renamed. In addition to being named for General Aukland’s sisters, Eden Garden from the Bible also served as a major source of inspiration for its creators. Numerous games were held in this stadium, at least six of which drew a crowd of about 100,000 spectators. While the first One-Day International was played here in 1987, the first Test match was played here in 1934. The Hero Cup knockout matches were the first games to be played here under artificial lighting. Here, a number of cricket records have been set and broken, including the most runs ever scored in an ODI (Rohit Sharma, 264 runs), the most runs ever scored in an ODI (Sachin Tendulkar, 496), and the most runs ever scored in a Test match (1217 runs by V.V.S. Laxman).
The Architecture of Eden Gardens
The stadium’s initial capacity was just 40,000 people. To prepare for the 1987 World Cup, extensive renovations were made to the stadium to increase its capacity to over 100,000 and improve the facilities. The roof’s design maximized coverage while requiring the least amount of support. This stadium is an unlikely engineering spectacle because a geometrically accurate roof was constructed over a somewhat asymmetrical stadium in a very short period of time. According to ICC regulations, the new Eden Garden meets the standards needed to host first-class international cricket.
Historic Matches at Eden Gardens
It is accurate to say that some of the most memorable cricket matches have taken place at Eden Garden. The following games have been among the most exciting in this stadium’s history:
- India vs. England, 1962: The host nation defeated England by 182 runs in 1962, marking India’s first victory over England in a test match in 27 years.
- India vs. West Indies, 1975: This was another of India’s illustrious victories over a formidable foe team. This was the third test in a five-game series between the two nations, and India prevailed by an 85-run margin. The West Indies team included legends like Sir Andy Roberts, Bernard Julien, Roy Fredericks, and Lance Gibbs, so this game gave the Indian team a lot of confidence. West Indies took home a 2–1 victory, and India was unable to win the series.
- India vs. South Africa, 1993: This was one of those games where Sachin miraculously defeated his opponent without using his bat! When Sachin made the decision to bowl and help India win the match by two runs, South Africa still needed six runs to win the Hero Cup final.
- India vs. Australia, 2001: This was another game where India overcame a deficit to win. The match was won by India thanks to a successful partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman after the first four batsmen made a hasty retreat to the pavilion.
- India vs. Pakistan, 2005: This match, which India won in Kolkata after initially losing in Mohali, was another nail-biting one. India eventually defeated Pakistan in a series.
- India vs. West Indies, 2013: Sachin Tendulkar, the father of modern cricket, played his final test game in Kolkata and his second-to-last match overall in this game, which marked the end of an era.
Best Time To Visit Eden Gardens
The ideal time to visit this location is in the evening. You can schedule a trip here at any time of year because the weather is pleasant.
Tips For Visiting Eden Gardens
When there are no matches taking place, you can visit the stadium. You must obtain permission from the CAB, or Cricket Association of Bengal, in order to do so. The stadium only allows spectators; playing is not permitted there.
How To Reach Eden Gardens
It is conveniently accessible by taxi or local bus from all the major areas of the city and is located on Strand Road. Park Street is the closest metro station to Eden Gardens and is about a 15-minute walk away.
