D/N Tests a huge step forward to develop the game: Ganguly

Oct 29 (CRICKETNMORE) BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday termed Eden Gardens hosting the first Day-Night Test between India and Bangladesh as a "huge step forward" in their bid to bring back the glory of the five-day format.

"In this effort of ours, Day-Night Test cricket is a huge step forward and we believe it will bring back the crowd into stadiums and a whole lot of young children to the sport," Ganguly said.

"I am extremely honoured that the Eden Gardens will host the inaugural Day-Night Test match and the Cricket Association of Bengal will create a spectacle for everyone to watch.

"I thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Mr. Nazmul Hassan and his team for accepting our request on such a short notice. I also thank India Captain Mr. Virat Kohli for his co-operation."

Ganguly said this is the start of something special in Indian cricket.

"This is the beginning of something special in Indian cricket. It is a priority for the newly elected Office Bearers and members of Apex Council to take Indian cricket forward. For me, as former Captain of India and as the current President of BCCI, Test cricket is of utmost priority and we at BCCI will leave no stone unturned to bring this format back to its feet."

BCCI secretary Jay Shah added: "It is a great day for Indian cricket. India will host Bangladesh in our first ever Day-Night Test match at Eden Gardens. Sourav, myself and our team had an idea of revolutionizing Test cricket and this is our first step towards it. It was very important to start the process now since India does not play a lot of Test matches after the Bangladesh series. We thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for accepting our request for a Day-Night Test match on such a short notice."

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said: "The BCB and BCCI share a very long history of support, co-operation and friendship. Ours is a bond of strength and it is very heartening and reassuring for the BCB to have someone like Mr Ganguly as BCCI President who has been an integral part of this journey. On that note, I am pleased that we have had a frank and constructive discussion with the players and the Team Management. I have received a positive response about playing the Day-Night Test in view of the BCB-BCCI relationship."

The BCB on Tuesday agreed to play the second Test against India at Eden Gardens under lights and this will be the first Day-Night Test for both teams.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is the man behind making this happen as he pushed the BCB to play under floodlights in a bid to pull crowds to the stadiums.

Ganguly met Kohli for the first time since becoming BCCI President at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai last Thursday, and it is believed the former India skipper had a word regarding Day-Night Tests.

The Indian team was earlier not keen on playing Day-Night Tests. India had previously dodged plans to play a pink-ball Test in Adelaide during their tour Down Under last year.

There was also reluctance on India's part when a move to host a Day-Night Test against the West Indies at home was brushed under the carpet.

Ganguly has always backed pink ball Tests, even when he was the head of the BCCI's technical committee in 2016-17. Ganguly had then recommended that domestic tournaments be played under lights.