2 Of The Best ODI Matches Hosted By The Eden Gardens: Eden Gardens, one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world, has been the stage for countless memorable One Day International (ODI) matches. This article reflects on two of the most thrilling encounters it has hosted.
1. India vs Pakistan 2004 at the Eden Gardens
The first is the India-Pakistan ODI in 2004. The match was part of the one-off platinum jubilee celebrations. The showdown is most remembered for Salman Butt’s spectacular performance against India, which is historically the fiercest rival of Pakistan.
Chasing an intimidating score of 293, Butt, just 20 years old and playing only his sixth ODI, began on an aggressive note. His partnership with Shoaib Malik set a strong foundation for Pakistan. Despite Malik’s dismissal at 61, Butt continued the momentum. However, he retired hurt at 68, swinging the balance of the game back in India’s favour.
Pakistan’s skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, nevertheless, had a different plan. Scoring a commanding 75, he found support in Butt who returned to the crease post Mohammad Yousuf’s dismissal. Butt completed his century, ensuring Pakistan’s victory with one over to spare.
Despite Yuvraj Singh’s aggressive 78 off 62 balls and contributions from Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, and local hero Sourav Ganguly, India’s 292 proved insufficient. The match showcased a thrilling face-off between two arch-rivals, with Pakistan emerging victorious.
2. India vs Sri Lanka in 2014
The second match is the 2014 ODI between India and Sri Lanka. Despite being one-sided, this match earned its place in cricket’s history books. Rohit Sharma’s staggering 264 runs in a 50-over game overshadowed Sri Lanka’s total score of 251.
Initially struggling, Rohit was dropped by Thisara Perera after scoring just 4 from 16 balls. However, Rohit capitalized on this opportunity, punishing Sri Lanka with 33 fours and 9 sixes. The awe-inspiring performance from Rohit left the Eden Gardens crowd spellbound.
His monumental double century – the first and only instance of two double centuries by a player in ODI cricket – propelled India’s score past 400. The contest lost its competitiveness early on as Sri Lanka lost their first four wickets with just 48 runs on the board by the 10th over.
Eden Gardens has hosted some unforgettable ODIs. The 2004 India-Pakistan match demonstrated a rising star’s brilliant composure under pressure, while the 2014 India-Sri Lanka game showcased a record-breaking individual performance. These matches offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of cricket history at Eden Gardens.
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