KOLKATA, Oct 16 (PTI): From Chandu Borde and Salim Durani � the chief architects of India�s first Test win at Eden � to Sourav Ganguly, the stadium�s rich history was hailed as Cricket Association of Bengal began 150 years� celebrations of the stadium with a book and documentary launch today.
While Ganguly singled out VVS Laxman�s (281) and Rahul Dravid�s 180 as the best-ever performance, former all-rounders Borde and Durani reminisced their win against the Englishmen in 1961-62 and said it was a dream for yesteryear�s cricketers� to play at the Eden.
�During a Test, then English skipper Naseer Hussain once told me it�s tough to play here; the batsmen don�t get out and at the same time it�s difficult to stop the roar. I told them you come here to participate,� Ganguly said in his address.
Remembering his first match here versus Odisha, �It was a U-14 match and I scored a century, then onwards the Eden has always been special for me.�
Ganguly, who is also the CAB joint secretary, also stressed on the importance to keep producing cricketers.
�I understand it�s a great ground and one of the best stadia. But our honour and glory would remain if we keep producing Test cricketers. We want a regular flow of players from the city so that the glory remains intact.�
�Eden will always remain special for players of yesteryears for us, it was like a dream come true to play here,� Borde who scored 68 and 61 and claimed 4/65 in India�s first Test victory at the Eden said.
Another former India all rounder Durani, who claimed eight wickets with his left-arm spin in the same Test, said his life had changed after playing at the venue.