Pakistan vs India clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Pakistan vs India 2nd ODI Cricket Match 3 Januaray 2013 at Kolkata
Eden Gardens is hosting the second one day international match between India and Pakistan on Thursday. Eden Gardens stadium has given many memorable wins for Team India. This is a favorite ground for Pakistan also as they have a very good record here.
Pakistan won the first ever one day match played at Eden Gardens. The first match was played on this ground in 1987 between India and Pakistan and Pakistan won the match. Pakistan has a record of 5-1 here. Team India lost all the three one day matches played against Pakistan in this stadium. Both the teams are playing a match here after eight years.
The second one day match in the three ODI series will be played on 3rd January, 2013. Pakistan is leading the series with 1-0 and this is a do or die situation for India because losing the match is losing the series.
India has to win the second ODI at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, to keep the hopes of winning the series alive. Pakistan and India met on this ground in 2004 in the Platinum Jubilee match which was won by Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pacers Umar Gul, Irfan and Junaid and practiced in the nets at Eden Garden on 1st January, 2012 along with the batsmen.
Indian cricket team also reached Kolkata in batches.
Pakistan won the first ODI in the on-going three ODI series that was played at Chennai. Ticket for second ODI at Eden Gardens were sold online and all the tickets were sold within 12 hours. India lost test match against England on the same ground. Curator of Eden Gardens informed that one day wicket is being prepared for the match. He said the wicket will b prepared to suit the stroke play of the batsman. There will be bounce for the pacers and as the play continues, spinners will bowl effectively he said.
Winning the match at Eden Gardens means another series loss for India.
The Indian team and captain Dhoni are under fire from critics already and there are also demands from various people to change the captain. It now has to be seen how Indian batsman will fare in the match. None of the top order batsman of India, except Yuvraj and Dhoni seem to be in form.
