The ongoing Freedom Series between India and South Africa conceived in the memory of the great leaders of the two countries, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, appeared to be overtaken momentarily by the commemoration of a big name in cricket administration, Jagmohan Dalmiya, whose death barely three weeks ago is now dominating the sentiment here at the Eden Gardens.
Giant hoardings adorning a collage of pictures of the late president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Cricket Association of Bengal were placed on the periphery of the giant Stadium reviving the memory of the man who redefined cricket around the globe from his office in the ‘Club House’.
“One thing we will be missing is Jagmohan Dalmiya sir. He won’t be watching the game but I am sure he will be blessing us from somewhere above,” said Harbhajan Singh.
“Eden (Gardens) is a very special place. Playing cricket in Eden is always special. If people say cricket in England is at Lord’s, then in India for me this is the best place to play cricket. I have got some great memories playing here and hopefully I can continue to do well here,” he added.
Harbhajan said he would like to retire from cricket by playing his last match, preferably a Test, at this venue.
“Spin has been India’s strength. I think spinners have a major role to play if India has to win the T20 world cup (next year). We have got four spinners in the team and all four have done well when they got the opportunity. I am sure it is going to be a very exciting time to look forward to,” Harbhajan said extolling the art that he specialises in.
David Miller, the South African middle order batsman, felt the 2-0 lead his team enjoys has set the momentum for bigger wins in the tour. “We are 2-0 up and are determined to make it 3-0. Momentum and confidence is a big thing in international cricket. I think our preparations have been really good. We have been trying to check all the boxes and hopefully we come out on top tomorrow,” Miller said.
Miller said the T20I series win gave his team the confidence ahead of the World Cup. “The series win is really big. We came here with a lot of expectation to do well and have put a lot of pressure on us to perform.
“India is an amazing T20 side with huge players. It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward coming close to the World Twenty20,” he said.
