Spotlight shifts to Eden Gardens

The historic Eden Gardens cricket ground in Kolkata will host the India-Pakistan match on March 19 instead of Dharamsala. The decision was taken earlier in the week to shift to Kolkata because of apprehensions that the Himachal Pradesh government would not be able to provide the security that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expects.

Anurag Thakur, the The Board Of Control For Cricket In India member from Himachal and an MP from the state, is furious that the battle has been lost to another state. This is the first time that Dharamsala would have had the chance to host such an important match.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is ecstatic to organise a match in Bengal because another state was not able to provide security. She has to say nothing. Others are singing praises of the state. ICC Chief Executive Officer Dave Richardson said, "It is unfortunate that the Himachal Pradesh government has failed to promise security for a match of this magnitude. Keeping that in mind, we have changed the match venue to Kolkata. We tried to clear the issue with the state government but couldn't reach a mutual understanding. The West Bengal State government has promised full security, along with all other host states. They will be delivering security of the highest level". So, Dharamsala's loss is Kolkata's gain… and what a gain !