When the eyes of the sporting world are on you, the last thing you want is for the showpiece venue to be declared unfit to host one of the most keenly anticipated contests of the year. That's the shock facing the BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal after the ICC ruled that the renovations of the iconic Eden Gardens stadium would not be ready in time to stage the India-England World Cup group clash on 27th February. They've had a year to prepare for India's biggest international cricket tournament so far, so this ought to be a massive embarrassment for the organisers. And then there are the 90,000 or so fans who snapped up a ticket months ago and have been looking forward to this match above all others. I know someone personally who is making a 10,000-mile round trip based on that very game and now faces a real dilemma.
Having rejected the appeals for a further extension to the deadline, the ICC have now named Bangalore as the replacement venue for next month's Kolkata opener, although what will happen to the other three games scheduled for Eden Gardens is not yet known. The builders will have to really get moving! What will happen, too, with regard to the ticket-holders? They won't all fit in to the M Chinnaswamy stadium which has a 40,000 capacity, less than half that of Eden Gardens. Will those willing to divert the 1000 miles across India even be able to find accommodation at such short notice?
It is also ironic to note that the Bangalore venue was heavily criticised early last year for its World Cup credentials. However, it wasn't the state of its spectator or media facilities but the pitch itself which was under fire. Presumably the grass has been restored to its proper state now. Fingers crossed!
In addition to Kolkata, four other venues had been granted a stay of execution back in December but apparently the inspectors have deemed them close to readiness before the event begins in three weeks' time. The competition can't afford any more problems of this sort. It has already posed a logistical minefield with the games spread across thirteen cities in three countries. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh don't want to be tarred with the same tainted brush of incompetence either.
As happened in Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, I'm sure the whole tournament will be a huge success as a whole, with financial gains for many. However, that won't be any comfort for those inconvenienced or denied a chance to be part of a World Cup as a result of the Eden Gardens fiasco.
