Despite not hosting any competitive matches right now, there is plenty happening around Eden Gardens. With the T20 World Cup 2026 barely weeks away, the iconic Kolkata venue has received a significant vote of confidence from the International Cricket Council (ICC), even as uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.
As per PTI, on Thursday, a joint inspection team from the ICC and the BCCI visited Eden Gardens to assess preparations ahead of the global event, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The inspection covered the playing surface, dressing rooms, corporate boxes and overall stadium infrastructure. The verdict was clear that the ICC is satisfied.
According to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), the visiting officials were pleased with the facilities and expressed optimism about Eden Gardens playing its part in a successful T20 World Cup.
Eden Gardens cleared, Bangladesh cloud remains
Eden Gardens is scheduled to host five group-stage matches, including one of the opening-day fixtures, along with a Super Eight game and a semifinal, provided Pakistan do not reach the last four. Crucially, three of those group games were originally allotted to Bangladesh. That, however, now looks increasingly unlikely. Although Eden Gardens will host the games, but will they host Bangladesh is not known as of writing.
Bangladesh have effectively ruled themselves out of travelling to India for the T20 World Cup, stating security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has indicated that the ICC has failed to address their concerns adequately and has hinted at undue influence from the BCCI. With the ICC standing firm on the original schedule, Scotland are expected to replace Bangladesh unless a last-minute relocation to Sri Lanka is agreed upon.
The Eden Gardens was under scrutiny as recently as November 2025, when a two-day Test against South Africa saw 40 wickets fall and created debate around pitch behaviour. Despite criticism at the time, the ICC rated the surface as “satisfactory“, with match referee Richie Richardson backing the assessment. India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, had acknowledged that the pitch behaved unexpectedly but stopped short of calling it unsafe.
T20 World Cup 2026 schedule at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Sat, Feb 7: West Indies vs Bangladesh (3:00 PM LOCAL / 9:30 AM GMT)
- Mon, Feb 9: Bangladesh vs Italy (11:00 AM LOCAL / 5:30 AM GMT)
- Sat, Feb 14: England vs Bangladesh (3:00 PM LOCAL / 9:30 AM GMT)
- Mon, Feb 16: England vs Italy (3:00 PM LOCAL / 9:30 AM GMT)
- Thu, Feb 19: West Indies vs Italy (11:00 AM LOCAL / 5:30 AM GMT)
- Sun, Mar 1: Super 8 Group 1 (X1 vs X3) – TBC vs TBC (7:00 PM LOCAL / 1:30 PM GMT)
- Wed, Mar 4: 1st semi-final (if Pakistan don’t qualify for it).
