Eden Gardens in Kolkata (Twitter)
The stage is set at the colossal Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the battle royal of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday (November 5) as India take on South Africa for Match 37 of the marquee competition. Men in Blue strive to retain their dominance for the tournament against the mighty Proteas at the most iconic and historic Indian venue.
The Eden Gardens has over time transformed into a pace-oriented track from a spinners' paradise since undergoing relay work on its playing square. As it stood evident in the previous two encounters of the World Cup 2023 when Netherlands seamers ran riot over the Bangladeshis, who were then hammered in equal measure by Pakistan's battery of quick men.
A similar track offering bounce and lateral movement would further embolden the two firing pace attacks that will be on show in Sunday's classic fixture. While India boast of the most devastating pace trio of the competition in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj, the Proteas enter the battleground with their pace pack led by Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen.
Eden Gardens Kolkata Ground Stats
Batting could become a heavy task if these two pace attacks find their best rhythm and mojo, especially under lights when the ball carries extra venom and sting off the deck for quicks at the Eden Gardens. Something the Bangladeshis would've found out when they were bundled out for 142 in a fatal run-chase versus the Dutch.
The Eden Gardens has historically played host to 35 men's One-Day Internationals since its inaugural fixture in the format back in February 1987 between India and Pakistan and the visitors famously came out triumphant.
| Eden Gardens Ground Details | |
|---|---|
| Highest total | India 404/5 vs Sri Lanka |
| Lowest total | West Indies 123/10 vs India |
| Total matches | 35 |
| Matches won batting first | 19 |
| Matches won bowling first | 13 |
| Average 1st Inns scores | 241 |
| Average 2nd Inns scores | 207 |
Swinging in terms of ground conditions as a batter's dream venue to a spin-friendly destination to now perhaps the most balanced pace-oriented deck in India, Kolkata has seen 19 occasions where the team batting first has also gone on to win the game.
Teams fielding first and chasing have been the less fortunate ones, surpassing their opposition counterparts in 13 of the remaining 16 matches, three of which were no results at a venue where the breeze from the Bay of Bengal and weather overall plays a huge part.
 "Kashish Chadha")
