MUMBAI: The second Test between India and England starting in Mohali on Friday was to be the commemorative game of the platinum jubilee of Test cricket in India. It was to be held in the Mumbai. But fate decreed otherwise.
The BCCI and the MCA had some grand plans for the celebrations. A presidential dinner was called and a lot of functions were lined up. Many former and current India and England cricketers were also to be invited for the Test. But the terror attacks in Mumbai upset the board’s plans.
The MCA, in fact, had sacrificed a more lucrative Test against Australia to host the Englishmen in the city. It was because India hosted England for its first ever Test. It was held at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1933.
The platinum jubilee was to be held at the Brabourne stadium - itself a historic venue. Further significance of the match was that the Cricket Club of India (CCI) would have hosted a Test after over 35 years. The regular international venue in the city - Wankhede Stadium — is under renovation.
Some former greats like Tony Lewis, Mike Brearley and Derek Underwood were to grace the Brabourne Test along with many current and former India players. The grand presidential dinner was to be held on December 17.
“We are extremely disappointed as we have lost a good opportunity to host such an important Test. We had also lined up a few functions during the Test. But under the circumstances it was the right decision. The mood in the city is not for such celebrations,” said Kamaljit Rajpal, the CEO of the CCI.
It is not yet clear when the city and the CCI will get to host a Test. India are not scheduled to host a Test till 2009 October when Sri Lanka are scheduled to visit India. But, it is not yet clear if Mumbai will be allotted a Test. “It is up to the BCCI. It is too early to talk about that,” said Rajpal.
Meanwhile, gauging the poignant mood in the country, the BCCI has shelved any plans of celebrating the platinum jubilee in Mohali. It, however, has decided to release of a commemorative volume, a 100-page souvenir, featuring 75 years of Indian cricket.
A BCCI spokesman told DNA that its secretary N Srinivasan will release the volume. BCCI president Shashank Manohar and ECB chairman Giles Clarke, among, others will attend the brief function before the start of the match at Mohali on Friday.
