Eden Gardens Likely Venue For Historic India-Afghanistan Test: Reports

Eden Gardens, in all likeliness, will host the historic Test match between India and Afghanistan next year, a report in mid-day suggests.

Yesterday, after BCCI’s SGM, the board announced that the Afghanistan cricket team will play its first ever Test match against India. The dates were not announced, but it is rumoured that the game will be played in the next season of Indian cricket team.

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Presently, Afghanistan owns its home base in Nodia where they play their home games at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik sports complex. The stadium was banned by BCCI a few months back, which automatically ruled it out of contention from hosting the game.

Since Eden Gardens is considered as one of the best and historic grounds in India, there are high chances of the stadium hosting the game. However, if the game is played at Eden Gardens, it would also mean that it will be the second Test at the venue in the second runnings year.

The first Test of the India-Sri Lanka series was also played at Eden Gardens. It will be interesting to see whether board the game to this venue or will some other venue will get a chance to host the game.

Afghanistan, which was an associate nation earlier, was inducted into ICC’s full members’ list as the 11th nation. Along with it, Ireland was also inducted into the full members’ list as the 12th nation. This also allowed them to play Test matches.

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Ireland had already announced that they would be playing a home Test match against Pakitan next year from May 11 to 15 while Afghanistan had planned a game against Australia. However, they decided to change the plan and now, will be facing the Virat Kohli led Indian team in India.

Looking at the busy schedule of the Indian team, there are changes that Test match might happen after team India’s comeback to the country after the long England tour, where the Men in Blue will play a total of three T20Is, followed by three ODIs and a total of five Test matches as well.

The first international fixture of the tour will be played on July 3 while the series is scheduled to end on September 11.

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