IND vs SA Test: Sourav Ganguly’s Diwali Gift

By Correspondent On Oct 20, 2025

Cricket is set to return in grand style to Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, as India prepares to host South Africa in a full-fledged home series across all three formats. The series begins with a two-match Test series, with the first Test starting on November 14 at the Eden Gardens, a venue steeped in history and emotion.

What makes this occasion even more special is that Eden Gardens will host a Test match after a six-year-long gap. The last time the historic stadium hosted a red-ball game was during the much-celebrated Pink Ball Test between India and Bangladesh in 2019. Since then, fans in Kolkata have waited patiently for the return of the purest format – and now, the wait is finally over.

Ganguly’s Diwali Surprise: Test Cricket Made Accessible for All

Adding to the festive cheer, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly – affectionately known as Dada, has announced an incredible initiative to bring fans back to the stadium. In a gesture that reflects both his love for the game and the fans, Ganguly has rolled out extremely affordable ticket prices for the Test match.

Fans can now book tickets via the Zomato app starting from 12 noon today, with a five-day pass priced at just Rs 300 – that’s Rs 60 per day of Test cricket at one of the world’s most iconic venues. For those planning to attend on a single day, tickets are available for Rs 250 as well.

This move is being widely hailed as “a Diwali gift to the fans”, aimed at making the game more accessible, especially to students, families, and young cricket lovers. Ganguly’s vision is clear – fill the stands, bring back the buzz of Test cricket, and celebrate the sport in its most traditional form.

India’s Young Test Side Riding High on Confidence

On the cricketing front, Team India, under new Test captain Shubman Gill, has shown immense promise in recent months. The team held England to a 1-1 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on English soil – a commendable result and followed it up with a 2-0 home series win over the West Indies.

Now, facing South Africa at home, India will aim to solidify their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The memory of narrowly missing out on the WTC final last cycle still lingers, and this time, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will be eager to ensure the team doesn’t repeat past mistakes.

With a blend of young talent and experienced hands, this Indian Test side is hungry, focused, and ready for the challenge. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep have stepped up in recent games, signaling a bright future for India in the red-ball arena.

A Historic Series at a Historic Venue

The India vs South Africa Test series promises high-quality cricket, but the return of red-ball action to Eden Gardens is, in many ways, the main event. The ground has seen some of Indian cricket’s most iconic moments from VVS Laxman’s 281 to Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick and now it prepares to script a new chapter.

The combination of affordable ticketing, renewed fan engagement, and competitive cricket is exactly what Test cricket needs. And with Ganguly at the helm of CAB, fans can expect more such people-centric initiatives.

So, as Diwali lights up the streets of Kolkata, cricket fans have one more reason to celebrate. Come November 14, the City of Joy will echo once again with the sounds of bat on ball, as India takes on South Africa in what promises to be a thrilling start to a high-stakes series.

Key Details:

1st Test: India vs South Africa
Date: November 14, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Ticket Booking: Zomato app (From 12 PM)
Prices: Rs 300 (5-day pass), Rs 250 (single-day pass)