There is something about the Eden Gardens

December 1, 2012

vvs-laxman

New Delhi, December 1: There is something about Eden Gardens: an electric ambience, and an audience that recognises and appreciates quality performance, even if it comes from the visiting team. When full, the venue is transformed into a theatre of joy.

A cricket contest at Eden Gardens can be an experience of a life time, for player and spectator.

Just ask Mohammad Azharuddin. Or V.V.S. Laxman.

Laxman made 10 Test appearances at Eden Gardens and Azharuddin seven. Laxman crafted a career-best 281against Australia in that epic match in 2001, and Azharuddin produced a 110 on debut against England in 1985. Both have five centuries each at the venue.

Of course, Azharuddin was to produce a gem seven years later when he cracked a sensational 182 against the English. The 281 and the 182 are two regal batting demonstrations that continue to evoke passionate discussions even today in the paras (neighbourhoods) of Kolkata.

“There are certain grounds where you know you can do nothing wrong. For me, Eden Gardens is the one,” says Laxman.

“For me too,” says Azharuddin. “I don’t really know the reason but I always looked forward to batting at Eden Gardens.”

He was 14 when he first played at Eden Gardens in a Duleep Trophy match. “I was in awe. It was a huge ground,” he recalls.

Azharuddin’s captaincy was on the line in 1993. He was given the job for just that Test. His response was a knock of 182, but the 141 against Pakistan in 1987 remains close to his heart.

“It was my toughest hundred to make. The conditions (ball was moving a lot) and the pace attack (Imran Khan and Wasim Akram) made batting a very difficult task. The applause echoes in my memory to this day,” recalls Azharuddin.

No different was the 281 for Laxman.

“I remember every moment, every shot. It is a pleasant dream that unfolds whenever I reflect on that match.

“Eden Gardens is a very special ground for me. Terrific ambience, and the pitch is ideal for Test cricket…and then the people make it very special too. You can feel it from the time you arrive in Kolkata. The entire city becomes involved in the match,” gushes Laxman.

Laxman raves about curator Probir Mukherjee’s work.

“The pitch suits my style of batting. The ball comes on nicely, and the outfield is unbelievably fast. It adds value to your shots,” he says.

Azhar says: “I always found the pitch worthy of producing quality cricket. You play a shot and just watch the ball scorch the turf. It gives you indescribable joy.”

Laxman once said he would have loved to play an innings like Azharuddin’s 182.

And, Azharuddin returns the compliment. “I would be proud if I could bat like Laxman in that 281,” says the former India captain.

Laxman says: “It has an imposing structure, actually imploring you to give your best. Kolkata has a great sports culture.

“Yes, the ground staff is very understanding. In fact, nothing changes at Eden Gardens, the staff at the ground and the dressing room, even the caterers. I love a visit to Eden Gardens.”

“The ground staff is so polite and kind. It is the best ground in India,” says Azharuddin.



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Agencies
June 23,2020

Belgrade, June 23: Novak Djokovic tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia.

The top-ranked Serb is the fourth player to test positive for the virus after first playing in Belgrade and then again last weekend in Zadar, Croatia.

His wife also tested positive. “The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested. My result is positive, just as Jelena's, while the results of our children are negative," Djokovic said in a statement.

Djokovic has been criticized for organizing the tournament and bringing in players from other countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Viktor Troicki said Tuesday that he and his pregnant wife have both been diagnosed with the virus, while Grigor Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, said Sunday he tested positive.

Borna Coric played Dimitrov on Saturday in Zadar and said Monday he has also tested positive. There were no social distancing measures observed at the matches in either country and Djokovic and other players were seen hugging each other and partying in night clubs and restaurants after the matches.

 “Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions,” Djokovic said.

“Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.” Djokovic, who has previously said he was against taking a vaccine for the virus even if it became mandatory to travel, was the face behind the Adria Tour, a series of exhibition events that started in the Serbian capital and then moved to Zadar.

He left Croatia after the final was canceled and was tested in Belgrade. The statement said Djokovic was showing no symptoms.

Despite the positive test, Djokovic defended the exhibition series. “It was all born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this,” Djokovic said.

"We organized the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met. “Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.”

Djokovic said he will remain in self-isolation for 14 days and also apologized to anyone who became infected as a result of the series. Organizers of the Adria Tour said the third stage of the event, scheduled to held next week in Bosnia, has been cancelled.

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News Network
April 4,2020

New Delhi, April 4: India skipper Virat Kohli has said that the 2014 Test series against England was the lowest point of his career.

He made the revelation during a candid Instagram Live session with former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

To date, the 2014 Test series in England remains one of the worst Test series for Kohli as he averaged just 13.40 from 10 ten innings with his highest score being 39.

"I felt like as a batsman, you know you are going to get out in the morning as soon as you wake up. That was the time I felt like that there is no chance I am getting runs. And still to get out of bed and just get dressed for the game and to go out there and go through that, knowing that you will fail, was something that ate me up," Kohli told Pietersen.

However, just four years later, Kohli made a triumphant return to England as he scored a century in the opening Test of the 2018 series and finished as the highest run-getter in the series.

Kohli told Pietersen that the performance in 2014 came because he was just thinking about his own batting.

"2014 series happened, for all the younger guys listening, because I was too focused on doing well from a personal point of view. I wanted to get runs. I could never think of what does the team want me to do in this situation," Kohli said.

"I just got too engulfed with England tour - if I perform here, Test cricket, in my mind I am going to feel established and all that crap on the outside, which is not important at all," he added.
During the chat, Kohli talked about his favourite format in cricket and he also revealed the main reason for turning into a vegan.

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News Network
March 31,2020

New Delhi, Mar 31: Australia batsman David Warner on Tuesday decided to shave off his head to show support towards all those people who are working relentlessly on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

After shaving off his head, Warner also challenged his Australian team-mate Steve Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli to do the same.

Warner, shared a time-lapse video on Instagram, of him shaving his head, and captioned the post as: "Been nominated to shave my head in support of those working on the frontline #Covid-19 here is a time-lapse. I think my debut was the last time I recall I've done this. Like it or not".

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Australia's death toll stands at 19, as per the Sydney Morning Herald.

As of 8 am today, 4460 people across Australia have tested positive for COVID-19.

The World Health Organisation had termed coronavirus as a 'pandemic' on March 11.

Earlier in the day, Australia Test skipper Tim Paine also confirmed that the side's tour of Bangladesh is unlikely due to the virus spread.
"You don't have to be Einstein to realise (the Bangladesh tour) is probably unlikely to go ahead, particularly in June. Whether it's cancelled or pushed back, we're not quite sure at the moment," cricket.com.au quoted Paine as saying.

Currently, Australia has 296 points in the WTC from 10 matches, while India has 360 points from nine matches.

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