Kolkata is once again buzzing with the news of Sourav Ganguly’s return as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president. Following a six-year hiatus, the former Indian captain was elected unopposed on Monday at the CAB’s 94th annual general meeting. In his first major announcement since taking charge, Ganguly revealed an ambitious plan to increase the seating capacity of Eden Gardens back to its original one-lakh capacity.
A Grand Vision for Eden Gardens
The iconic Eden Gardens, once home to over a hundred thousand spectators, had its seating capacity reduced to 68,000 during a 2011 renovation for the World Cup to improve spectator comfort. Sourav Ganguly now plans to reverse this by undertaking a massive seating expansion project.
“This work will happen after the T20 World Cup next year,” Ganguly stated. “It’s a time-consuming process. The lease renewal has been completed.” This move could see the historic venue regain its status as one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums.
Looking Ahead: The Road Ahead for CAB
Ganguly’s first major challenge will be to host the upcoming Test match between India and South Africa in November, a pink-ball Test following the historic day-night match against Bangladesh in 2019. He expressed confidence in the preparations, noting that “there’s a good pitch, good crowd, and all the infrastructure is there.”
In addition to the stadium expansion, Ganguly is focusing on other key priorities:
T20 World Cup Matches: Ganguly has confirmed he will speak with the new BCCI members to bid for high-profile matches, possibly including a semi-final, for Eden Gardens during the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Infrastructure and Grassroots Cricket: He plans to strengthen the infrastructure for first-class cricket in Bengal and has announced a new state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala, built on a nine-acre plot. This academy will be similar to the one in Kalyani and will feature floodlights and other modern facilities, with the goal of developing players who can represent India at the Olympics.
Increased Grants: Ganguly’s first major decision was to increase the grants for state and district associations from ₹5 crore to ₹8 crore, a move that will significantly support grassroots cricket development.
With these ambitious plans, Sourav Ganguly is poised to not only restore the glory of Eden Gardens but also to strengthen the foundation of cricket in Bengal.