Keeping in mind the dew factors that is expected to come into play at the Eden Gardens post-sunset on winter evenings, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) request to start the day-night Test at 1 p.m. and end the day’s play by 8 p.m between India and Bangladesh from November 22 to 26 in Kolkata.
A BCCI official confirmed the development and said that sessions have been re-planned keeping in mind the need to call stumps by 8 p.m. as the ball would get really wet if the game goes past 8 p.m. in Kolkata in late November.
As per the quotes in IANS, a BCCI official said, “Keeping in mind the dew factor, the BCCI approved CAB’s request to change the playing hours in the second Test. While play will start at 1 p.m., the first session will end at 3 p.m. The second session will start from 3:40 p.m. and continue till 5:40 p.m. The final session will be played from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m.”.
ALSO READ: Kohli And Bumrah Retains No.1 Position In ICC ODI Rankings
Earlier, Eden curator Sujan Mukherjee had said that starting early would help in fighting the dew factor. He explained, “The dew factor comes into play mostly after 8-8:30 p.m. as we have seen in a white-ball game this time of the year at Eden. Therefore, I don’t think dew will be a problem. We also have arrangements to tackle dew issues like treatment sprays and all that.”
Asked about his preparation and how the pitch is likely to behave, the veteran curator said that they have had good pitches at Eden in the past and it would be no different. No matter if it’s a Day-Night affair or not.
Meanwhile, demand for tickets has been on an all-time high with CAB taking to Twitter to announce the huge demand for tickets to watch India’s maiden pink-ball Test.
ALSO READ: Shane Watson Appointed President of Australian Cricketers’ Association
CAB tweeted: “More than 50,000 people to witness India’s first #PinkBall D/N Test at #EdenGardens each day for first three days as demand for tickets shoot through the roof. #BetheChange @SGanguly99 @BCCI #IndvBanTest”.
More than 50,000 people to witness India's first #PinkBall D/N Test at #EdenGardens each day for first three days as demand for tickets shoot through the roof. #BetheChange @SGanguly99 @BCCI#IndvBanTest
— CABCricket (@CabCricket) November 9, 2019
