The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is preparing for a milestone celebration that could add a major event to the 2028 cricket calendar. With both CAB and the BCCI entering their centenary year, discussions have begun around a marquee match at Eden Gardens and possibly broader special series as part of the celebrations.
Centenary planning gains momentum
CAB president Sourav Ganguly said the association will gradually begin preparations for the centenary year and will write to the BCCI seeking a marquee match at Eden Gardens. The venue is significant not only because of its legacy, but also because it remains one of the most recognisable cricket stadiums in the world.
The timing is notable. CAB will complete 100 years in 2028, the same year as the BCCI’s centenary, creating a rare overlap between one of India’s oldest state associations and the country’s apex board.
Why Eden Gardens is central to the discussion
Eden Gardens is more than a symbolic venue. It is one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country, and hosting a landmark fixture there would fit the scale of the occasion. From a logistical point of view, a marquee game at a historic venue also offers strong commercial and broadcast appeal.
| Milestone | Year | Context |
|---|
| CAB centenary | 2028 | 100 years since formation |
| BCCI centenary | 2028 | 100 years since formation |
| Eden Gardens legacy | Historic | One of India’s oldest cricket venues |
BCCI explores special match formats
The BCCI has already started examining ways to mark its centenary with special matches and events. According to reports, there has been internal discussion around a year-long programme beginning in December 2027 and continuing through 2028.
Ideas under consideration include a triangular series or quadrangular series across multiple venues. Such formats were more common in earlier eras but have become rare in modern cricket because of tighter international schedules, bilateral commitments and the expanding franchise calendar.
Tri-series model has historical relevance
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, triangular and multi-nation tournaments were more frequent. Today, bilateral series dominate because they are easier to schedule and provide clearer commercial value for boards and broadcasters.
That shift is part of why a return to a tri-series would attract attention. It would not only carry nostalgic value, but also provide a format that offers more matches and varied competition within a single event window.
| Format | Past trend | Current trend |
|---|
| Tri-series | More common in earlier decades | Rare in modern scheduling |
| Bilateral series | Less dominant historically | Primary international format now |
| Special events | Mostly occasional | Likely for centenary years |
India vs World XI among reported ideas
One of the reported options under discussion is an India versus Rest of the World XI match as part of the centenary celebrations. That would be a high-profile event, especially because India has not previously played such a match against a World XI in the format currently being discussed.
Historically, Rest of the World fixtures have existed in charity or exhibition settings. In the early 2000s, a number of such games featured teams like Asia XI, Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies. Reports suggest around nine such matches were played during that period, drawing strong crowds and broad interest.
Historical comparison with past World XI matches
The most recent known fixture of this type came in 2018, when a World XI faced the West Indies in a T20I at Lord’s. That gap highlights how unusual these matches have become, which is part of the reason the current centenary discussion is drawing interest.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Approximate World XI-related matches in early 2000s | 9 |
| Latest such match referenced | 2018 |
| Current India vs World XI status | No final decision |
Decision still at an early stage
Despite the growing conversation, nothing has been finalised. The board is expected to form a committee to evaluate special matches and plan the centenary programme, but discussions remain at a preliminary stage. That means the current focus is on concept-building rather than confirmation.
Still, the direction is clear. CAB wants Eden Gardens to be part of the occasion, while the BCCI is looking at a broader national celebration that could include a special series or a one-off marquee fixture. If approved, the event would connect cricket history, institutional legacy and modern commercial scale in a single programme.
What the centenary could mean for Indian cricket
A centenary celebration featuring a marquee match would be more than ceremonial. It could test whether multi-team or exhibition-style events still have audience appeal in the current era. With international calendars crowded, any such event would need to balance nostalgia with practical scheduling value.
For CAB, the opportunity is local and historical. For the BCCI, it is national and symbolic. The next stage will depend on how quickly committees are formed and whether the board approves a format that blends tradition with modern cricket economics.