« Back to article

Print this article

'Sachin's mother wished to watch the last match and we supported it'

Gearing up to host Sachin Tendulkar's penultimate Test at Eden Gardens, the Cricket Association of Bengal has said it would organise the best
possible farewell for the batting maestro. 

"CAB will be tireless in organising the best possible farewell for Sachin. He had called me personally. We will definitely invite her family and mother," CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya said, adding a meeting has been called to chalk out the details. 

Terming it an incredible moment, the former ICC president said, "His mother wished to watch the last match at home so we had to support it. She truly deserved it. But at the same time, we felt Kolkata should not be deprived. 

"Eden being the largest cricket stadium in the country became the winning point. It was befitting that Kolkata got the Test," Dalmiya said about getting the opening Test of the series versus the West Indies. 

'Please don't try to create any controversy'

Saluting Tendulkar for his immense contribution to Indian cricket, the CAB chief said, "He could have played as long as he wanted. But one has to accept it. Hope he associates himself with cricket even after his retirement." 

Asked whether the Eden ground would be ready with less than a month to go for the match as there had been an excess of rainfall, Dalmiya said, "Please don't try to create any controversy." 

BCCI on Tuesday finalised the schedule of the series comprising two Tests and three ODIs, awarding the final and milestone 200th match to the Wankhede, Tendulkar's home ground. 

As per the schedule, Eden Gardens will host the opening clash of the series from November 6-10 while the second Test would be held from November 14-18. 

The Caribbean side will also play three ODIs slated for November 21, 24 and 27. 

The venues for the first two ODIs will be Kochi and Visakhapatnam respectively, while the third could either be held at Kanpur or Baroda.