Is it rains or the fading of interest of the game in Kolkatans or is it something to do with the opposition?
Never seen Edens with no crowd over the years . Edens was always India’s answer to MCG and Lords.Disappointed with the crowd turnout.
Kolkata has always been a special and cricket frantic crowd . The emotions displayed by them are unparalleled and they have always been one of the most vociferous and enthusiastic crowd all these years.
The crowd was always famous for showing their true emotions on and off the field. Sometimes going overboard but always being a true supporter and highly passionate of the game.
The players took it as a pride to represent India at this ground knowing fully well how it matters to perform in front of almost 1 lakh people , who understand the game so well, are excellent critic and most emotional of the lot.
Few of the instances which are still the very vivid memories and made Kolkata a real sports city and I remember :
1) Azharuddin’s memorable Test Debut against England scoring an improbable century setting up of a fantastic (& controversial) career and crowd dancing to the tunes of exquisite timing by unexplored Azhha !!
2) The crowds cheering up and reaching the ground to support Dravid and Laxman in the historic victory after following on against Steve Waugh’s army which till date marks India’s biggest victory and I presume it was the turning point of India’s progression to the top as ICC stalwarts .
3) Historical 6/12 by Kumble in Hero Cup finals , single handedly winning the trophy for his team and the dream semi final last over by the master clinching birth in the finals in an absolute electrifying atmosphere at the gardens.
4) 1996 World Cup semi finals could not be completed as India was at the loosing end and Kambli walking back with tears in his eyes against Lankans after a dramatic Indian collapse. Such was the emotion of the crowd that match referee Lloyd had to give default victory to Sri Lanka .
5) Gavaskar dropped (Still controversial who took that historic decision ? ) Kapil in 1984 Test match against England resulting in hoardings of ‘No Kapil No Match’ at this very famous ground.
6) With the controversy of Kapil and spat with the crowd , Gavaskar decided and vowed not to play at Kolkata again and the promise to himself he kept and pulled himself out from a test match against Pakistan putting a break to the then world record of consecutive 106 test matches for him.
The same crowd came forward in support of the master and wanted him to forget the past and regretted their actions .
It’s only Kolkatans who could accept their mistakes and being passionate about the game were so vocal when they got angry or when they apologised.
( Happy to note , Gavaskar , Kapil and Kolkata have moved from the past and all that ends well is always well ).
However !!
The entire fervour is missing in the current test against Lanka. The crowd is quiet, seemingly detached from the game ,players sedate and match moving at its own pace.
Is it something like Bengal is moving to their real passion football or it’s time the Test matches move to small cricket centres considering the fact that cricket is no more an urban game . Infact most of the new generation of cricketers belong to small cities , so such centers could be a long term realistic option to spread the clutches of the game .
Nonetheless it’s a sorry faced Test Match at the Edens ( Hope to see a change in last 2 days of the game)
- Jayawant
http://jay1tedensglory.blogspot.in/2017/11/is-it-rains-or-fading-of-interest-of.html
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