The BCCI is going on an overdrive to make Sachin Tendulkar’s last hurrah really big and memorable.
It has decided to invite former India captains and BCCI office-bearers to witness the champion batsman’s last and 200th Test match to be played at Wankhede stadium from November 14 to 18.
The BCCI will also host some former West Indies cricketers. It has told the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that it needs 700 tickets in addition to the usual quota of 1200.
The first Test will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata from Nov. 6 to 10.
Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president and chairman of the tour, programme and fixture committee said: 'Tendulkar requested the BCCI to award the second Test to MCA so that his mother can watch the match. Keeping his sentiment in mind, the second match has been given to the Wankhede stadium.
Both Test matches are important. Eden Gardens is big and hence the first Test has been given to Kolkata.'
The West Indies will begin the tour with a three-day warm-up game against Uttar Pradesh at Cuttack from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The TPF committee has allotted the first ODI to Kochi (Nov. 21) and second to Visakhapatnam (Nov. 24).
The third match will be played either at Baroda or Kanpur. 'A decision will be taken after a technical clearance by the end of this month,' said Shukla.
Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, General Manager, Game Development is expected to inspect the two venues soon.
The itinerary of the series between India and the West Indies:
Oct 28: The West Indies cricket team arrives in India
Oct 31-Nov 2: Three-day game (West Indies v UPCA at Cuttack)
Nov 6-10: First Test at Kolkata
Nov 14-18: Second Test at Mumbai
Nov 21: First ODI at Kochi
Nov 24: Second ODI at Visakhapatnam
Nov 27: Third ODI at Baroda/Kanpur.