Eden Gardens - History

History

The Eden Garden is the biblical "God's Garden",Established in 1864, Eden Gardens currently holds 90,000 people following renovations for the Cricket World Cup 2011; a capacity down from an estimated 100,000 before the upgrade. Prior to the 1987 World Cup, the capacity was said to be approximately 120,000; however, no official figures have been recorded. Nevertheless, it remains the third biggest cricket stadium in the world, trailing Melbourne Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium in Australia. Before 1984 both cricket and derby football matches were played in Eden Garden. The stadium is located in the B. B. D. Bagh area of the city, near the State Secretariat and Calcutta High Court. The first recorded Test at the venue was held in 1934, and its first One Day International in 1987. The Hero Cup knockout matches were staged at Eden Gardens, the first matches played under lights at the ground. Sporting floodlights, bowlers deliver from the High Court End or the Pavilion End of a pitch under curator Probir Mukherjee. Eden Gardens is renowned for its large and vociferous crowds. It is said that "a cricketer's cricketing education is not complete till he has played in front of a packed Eden Gardens." The Club House of the stadium has been named as the B.C. Roy Club House, after former Chief Minister of West Bengal Dr. B. C. Roy. The Headquarters of the Cricket Association of Bengal are also there at the Eden Gardens. The stadium also hosts Indian Premier League matches and is the home venue for Kolkata Knight Riders co-owned by the Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.