Former cricketer Kris Srikkanth hails Eden Gardens crowd

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth on Saturday said one just needs to perform at the Eden Gardens and the city would remember the cricketer forever.

The first cricketer to score an ODI century in Kolkata, the former India opener said, "There's nothing like playing at the Eden. It's always been an outstanding atmosphere here, something you can't describe it in words, you have to experience it."

"Every cricketer would like to play and score some runs at Eden Gardens. You just need to perform here the crowd will remember you forever," Srikkanth said. He recollected scoring a century in a U-19 match here before his 123 versus Pakistan on February 18, 1987.

"After scoring the century I went to the New Market to buy some stuff and the shopkeeper recognised me and gave me huge discount," Srikkanth said releasing a gold coin during the Cricket Association of Bengal's 150 year celebrations in Kolkata on Saturday.

CAB also felicitated Deepak Shodhan, who scored a debut Test century (110 vs Pakistan) at the Eden on December 12, 1952. Incidentally it was his 86th birthday and Shodhan said: "It gives me great pleasure to celebrate my birthday here where I had scored century on debut. It's a special feelilng."