The BCCI is going on an overdrive to make Sachin Tendulkar’s last hurrah really big and memorable, says a report in The Hindu, adding that the BCCI has decided to invite former India captains and BCCI office-bearers to witness the champion batsman’s last and 200th Test match to be played at Wankhede stadium from November 14 to 18.
The BCCI will also host some former West Indies cricketers. It has told the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that it needs 700 tickets in addition to the usual quota of 1200. The first Test will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata from Nov. 6 to 10.
Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president and chairman of the tour, programme and fixture committee said: “Tendulkar requested the BCCI to award the second Test to MCA so that his mother can watch the match. Keeping his sentiment in mind, the second match has been given to the Wankhede stadium.
Eden Gardens is one of Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite grounds. It will be the venue of the great man’s penultimate game — 199th Test — of his glorious career. The maestro will bid adieu to his 24-year-long career at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, says a report in the DNA.
Although Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) wanted to host Tendulkar’s last Test, they had to settle for his second last match. They are still happy that Eden Gardens will be one of the venues where the batting maestro will descend one last time.
The Kolkatans will go all out to celebrate Tendulkar’s farewell journey and for that they won’t leave any stone unturned. They may not have decided what will they do but they have promised it will be something special which will never be forgotten.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Indian Express, Eden Gardens' curator Prabir Mukherjee has said he would give the master batsman nothing to complain about when he plays his penultimate game in Kolkata against the West Indies.
"I will give him (Tendulkar) a track which he will enjoy. It'll be a good pitch," Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee is known to have a mind of his own and even when the Indian team had requested for a turner against England during the third Test, he provided a firm wicket and also stated that the request for a rank-turner was against the spirit of the game. However, in Tendulkar's case Mukherjee seems more accommodating. "We all want to see him retire on a high. A full house is expected and I will do my bit to ensure that the fans get their money's worth," he added.
