Eden Gardens, Kolkata: India's Greatest Cricket Stadium
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is India's largest cricket stadium and one of the most iconic grounds in world cricket. With a capacity of 66,000, it hosted the 1987 World Cup final and the legendary VVS Laxman-Dravid Test in 2001.
Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, is one of the world's great cricket venues. With a current capacity of approximately 66,000 — the third-largest cricket stadium in the world — it is famous for passionate crowds, iconic Test matches, and some of cricket's most electric atmospheres.
History
Eden Gardens has hosted Test cricket since 1934 and has been the home ground for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. It was the venue for the 1987 ODI World Cup final — Australia beat England by 7 runs in an epic final — and was briefly the largest cricket stadium in the world before the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad overtook it.
The 2001 Follow-On Test
The most celebrated match at Eden Gardens remains the India vs Australia Test of March 2001. India followed on 274 runs behind after Australia's first innings of 445. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) produced a partnership of 376 in the second innings. India scored 657/7d and bowled Australia out for 212 to win by 171 runs — considered the greatest Test match comeback in history.
Eden Gardens in 2011
The 2011 World Cup saw Eden Gardens stage the semi-final between India and Pakistan — one of the most watched cricket matches in television history, attracting over 150 million viewers in India alone. India won by 29 runs; MS Dhoni's men went on to win the World Cup in Mumbai.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of Eden Gardens?
Eden Gardens holds approximately 66,000 spectators, making it the third-largest cricket stadium in the world after Narendra Modi Stadium (132,000) and Melbourne Cricket Ground (100,000).
What is the most famous match played at Eden Gardens?
The 2001 Test between India and Australia — where India came back from following on to win — is widely considered the most famous match played at the ground.