KOLKATA: Tension was palpable among Indian fans queuing up at every entrance to get inside the historic Eden Gardens, Kolkata ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and Co's last Super Eights clash against West Indies on Sunday evening.
They were well aware that a loss here would send their team packing. Even as the temperature was expected to drop from 29 degrees Celsius at 6PM to 24 degrees Celsius by 11, Indians fans were feeling the heat. And they are expected to sweat a lot more as the match progresses both figuratively and literally as humidity is expected to soar from 40 per cent at 6PM to 88 per cent by 11PM. A steady southwest wind of around 11-12 kmph might cool down the fans but more than that they need their favourite team to come up with its A game to have a soothing effect on them.
The defending champions are chasing history and a defeat against in-form South Africa in their first Super Eights match has made the Sunday's contest a virtual quarterfinal. They boast an unbeaten record against the West Indies at the venue winning all the four matches. However, multi-nation tournaments bring different pressure with them and India have never faced the Caribbean team in the T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens. In fact, they have played only once at the venue during the tournament and it happened way back in 2016 when Virat Kohli held fort at one end to help India chase a modest target of 119 against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The good thing for them is that Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field first. India remain unchanged as they put in West Indies to bat. West Indies have drafted in Akeal Hosein with Roston Chase expected to open.
The two-time winners have happy memories at the ground winning the 2016 final against England to capture their second title. They have played two group matches of the current edition beating Scotland and Italy respectively. On the familiarity front, they have an edge but India have an envious head-to-head record against them at the venue.
Sujan Mukherjee, the chief curator of the venue, termed the wicket as a 200 plus wicket. West Indies coach Darren Sammy, who led the side to title triumph 10 years ago, also stated that the pitch looks dry a day before the match.
All said and done, Eden Gardens saw 200 plus totals only thrice in the tournament. Once it happened when Pakistan routed Bangladesh by 55 runs after posting 201 in 2016 and twice it happened during the ongoing tournament with Scotland and England going past the mark with Italy at the receiving end on both occasions.
India might hope not to be on the wrong side of the fence and keep hopes of their fans alive, who anyway want them to win every match they play irrespective of the formats or tournaments.
