Former Indian cricket captain and President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, has emphasized the importance of expanding Test cricket to a variety of venues despite Kolkata being excluded from the marquee series in India’s home season for 2026–27. Ganguly stated that while Eden Gardens is significant, the growth of cricket necessitates that matches be held in different locations. This conversation surrounding venue selection gained attention after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Kolkata would not feature in the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.

During a recent book launch, Ganguly expressed mixed feelings about the decision. He acknowledged his preference for Kolkata to host major Test matches, but he also recognized the broader vision for the sport. “Having significant Test matches at Eden Gardens is always exciting. As the CAB president and a former player, my desire is to bring Test matches here. However, the scheduling includes matches against South Africa, T20 World Cup games, and Indian Premier League fixtures,” Ganguly remarked.

He further added, “While the appeal of hosting matches at Eden Gardens is strong, it is crucial to appreciate that the game must be disseminated to other venues as well.” The decision has led to varied responses, reflecting a divide between supporters of traditional venues and advocates for the inclusion of emerging locations.

Details on Venue Selection and Its Implications

The BCCI’s recent announcement detailing the 2026–27 home schedule highlighted the exclusion of historic venues like Kolkata and Mumbai from the prestigious Test series against Australia. The five-match series is set to commence on January 21, 2027, taking place instead in Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad. This indicates a strategic shift towards a more geographically diversified hosting policy.

Though Kolkata and Mumbai still remain on the cricket calendar, they are only assigned white-ball formats, such as One Day Internationals against Zimbabwe. This decision has stirred a debate among cricket enthusiasts who argue that iconic venues risk losing their traditional significance in Indian Test cricket. At the same time, new venues like Guwahati, which hosted its first Test in 2025, continue to rise in prominence, signaling the BCCI’s aim to broaden the appeal of the game.

For Ganguly, this choice reflects a careful balancing act within Indian cricket. While the Eden Gardens has traditionally been a focal point in the Test landscape, evolving circumstances now compel a distribution of matches across newer venues. His perspective underscores the need for cricket to adapt in order to thrive in a competitive and changing sporting environment.

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