ICC taking stern view of riots at Eden Gardens, says Dalmiya

The President of the Cricket Association of Bengal Jagmohan Dalmiya has appealed to the cricket loving public in the city to peacefully watch the second Test match between India and Australia to be played at the Eden Gardens from March 11 to 15. Dalmiya has stated if the spectators create a disturbance, Eden Gardens may be deprived of hosting international matches in future.

It may be recalled that the 1996 World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned because of the unruly behaviour of spectators. Then during the inaugural match of the Asian Test Championship between India and Pakistan in 1999, the police had to clear the galleries as spectators repeatedly disrupted the game. Ultimately the last few overs of the Test match were played in front of an empty gallery.

Dalmiya said today that the International Cricket Council had taken a very stern view of the riots at the Eden Gardens. It was only because of a satisfactory reply from the CAB that the ICC decided not to prevent the State Association from hosting international games. However if the acts of disturbance continued, then the ICC could well prevent the conduct of further matches at the Eden Gardens. "That would prevent the cricket-loving people of Kolkata from getting the chance to watch international stars. So I would request everybody to keep their cool during the five days of the Test match," said Dalmiya.

Meanwhile the demand for tickets are hotting up every day. Today, tickets worth Rs 12 lakhs were sold. The preparation of the pitch is at the final stages. Most of the grass has been shaved off. The wicket is of a brownish nature. However, it is not really dusty.