Eden Garden

Eden Gardens is the oldest cricket ground in India and has been called the Lord's of Asia. The first ever first-class match to be played here was in 1917-18, while the first Test match was against Douglas Jardine's MCC in January 1934. Since then the ground has hosted 34 Test matches- the maximum at any venue in India.

As part of the renovation drive of the stadium during the 1987 World Cup, where the final match was held, covered stands were built all around, with a modern Club House and pavilion. The Club House now houses the offices of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Floodlights were installed in the stadium on the eve of the five-nation tournament held to celebrate the CAB Diamond Jubilee.

Eden Gardens holds the distinction of being the largest cricketing facility in the world. On the flip side, crowd violence has marred some of the key matches played in this ground.

Ground Facts and Figures

Name: Eden Gardens
Location: Dr. B. C. Roy Club House, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Established: 1864
Seating Capacity: 100,000
Floodlights: Yes
End Names: High Court End, Pavilion End
Home Team: Bengal
Owner: The Cricket Association of Bengal
First Test: India vs. England - Jan 5-8, 1934
First ODI: India vs. Pakistan - Feb 18, 1987

Milestones at Eden Gardens:

* India holds the record for the highest Test score on the ground so far when they made 657-7 against Australia during the Series in 2000-01.
* Indian also has the ignominy of scoring the lowest total at the ground when the West Indies restricted them to just 90.
* Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian to take a Test hat trick when he achieved the feat against Australia in 2000-01.
* VVS Laxman's historic 281 against the Australians in 2000/01 is the highest score at the ground.
* Anil Kumble's 12/6 vs. the West Indies in the finals of the Hero Cup is the best bowling figures in one dayers by an Indian.