Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, which is currently hosting India’s 250th home Test, is the second-largest cricket ground by capacity. The ground, with a capacity of 66,000, is only behind Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground which can seat almost 90,000 people. However, prior to Eden Gardens’ renovation in 2011, it was the largest cricket ground, with a capacity of around 1,20,000. The ground
underwent renovation ahead of the 2011 World Cup, during which it was slated to host four group-stage matches, including one between India and England on February 27. However, on January 27, the ICC announced the India v England game would be shifted out of Eden Gardens as they felt the ground would not be ready in time.
The stadium has hosted matches in major competitions including the World Cup, World Twenty20, Asia Cup and Indian Premier League matches. In 1987, Eden Gardens became the second stadium to host a World Cup final, after Lord’s, London which had hosted the first three finals.
History and capacity
The stadium gets its name from the Eden Gardens, one of the oldest parks in Kolkata, which was designed in 1841 and named after the Eden sisters of Lord Auckland, the then Governor-General of India.
The stadium is in the B. B. D. Bagh area of the city, near the State Secretariat and opposite to the Calcutta High Court. Initially it was named ‘Auckland Circus Gardens’ but later changed to ‘Eden Gardens’ by its makers inspired by Garden of Eden in the Bible. The stadium itself was established in 1864 and currently holds 66,349 people
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