Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens in Kolkata, West Bengal, is one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world and a crown jewel of India's cricketing heritage, with a seating capacity of 68,000 roaring fans. Established in 1864 and owned by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Eden Gardens has witnessed 160 years of competitive cricket and produced some of the sport's most unforgettable moments. The ground is home to Kolkata Knight Riders - twice IPL champions - and the most passionate cricket fans in India, whose encyclopaedic knowledge and electric noise have rattled opposition teams for generations.

Eden Gardens was the site of India's greatest Test comeback in 2001: following on against Australia, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid put on a record 376-run partnership to set up a stunning victory, in what is widely considered the greatest Test match ever played. The stadium hosted the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals and has been the venue for India's most famous bilateral series encounters against England, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and Pakistan. The pitch at Eden Gardens traditionally assists medium-fast bowling in the first session, eases into a fine batting surface in the middle overs, and offers variable turn for spinners in the final stages of a Test match.

The floodlit atmosphere during an India vs Pakistan ODI or a KKR IPL final at Eden Gardens is rated as one of the greatest live sporting experiences on the planet. Walking into Eden Gardens on match day is a journey through 160 years of Indian cricket history - from the colonial era and the birth of Test cricket in India to the modern glamour of the IPL and ICC tournaments - making it a living monument to the world's most passionate cricket nation.