As the city of joy hosts the 1st Pink ball test on Indian soil between India and Bangladesh there is no dearth of high profile visitors in attendance. To watch the day and night test match at Eden Garden Bangladesh’s Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has visited India.
Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, @MamataOfficial, Honourable Chief Minister, West Bengal ring the bell at the iconic Eden Gardens.#PinkBallTest @Paytm #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/a0e3Oh8Ygd
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2019
Accompanying her is the West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamta Banerjee. Both the leaders rang the iconic bell at the Eden Garden that symbolizes the start of the match. BCCI president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was also present at the moment.
Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, @MamataOfficial, Honourable Chief Minister, West Bengal and #TeamIndia great @sachin_rt greet #TeamIndia ahead of the #PinkballTest pic.twitter.com/ldyrKjbxrE
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2019
The Bangladesh PM and the CM of West Bengal met the players and shook hands before the start of the play. Skipper Virat Kholi was seen introducing his teammates to the Bangladeshi PM.
Bangladesh have won the toss and will bat first in the #PinkBallTest @Paytm #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/LCTkWZ6bKM
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2019
Apart from Hasina and Banerjee other notable visitors that were present on the ground include former cricketers S Ramesh, Saba Karim, Sunil Joshi, Ajit Agarkar, Venkatesh Prasad, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, etc. From Bangladesh’s side Naimur Rahman, Mohammed Mahmudul Hasan, Maharab Hossain, Mohammed Hasibul Hussain, Shahriar Hossain Biddut, Kazi Habibul Bashar and Mohammed Akram Khan were in attendance.
That will be Lunch on Day 1 of the #PinkBallTest.
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 22, 2019
Bangladesh won the toss, but India have most certainly won the session. And the pace trio have done all the damage once more.
Bangladesh 73/6 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/9oSbf6TGAn
Athletes from other sports were also present to witness the historic moment of Indian cricket. This included Abhinav Bindra, P Gopichand, P V Sindhu, Sania Mirza, and Mary Kom.
The first day of the historic tests is set to be a grand and memorable occasion with cultural performances and felicitation ceremonies lined up. During the Tea break, Sorendu and Group will give a performance while the former captains will be given a Lap of honor.
Also Read: Pics: Kolkata Turns Pink Ahead Of India-Bangladesh Day-Night Test
Post the wrap up of play on Day 1 grand felicitation would take place with a performance by Runa Laila, while a cultural program by Jeet Ganguly will conclude the opening day.
