Rain threatens to spoil India's first pink-ball match

Kolkata: With monsoon slated to hit Kolkata within two days, rain might play spoilsport when Eden Gardens hosts the country's first day-night pink ball four-day match from June 18-21 here. "Monsoon has advanced into North Bengal and Gangtok. We expect it to hit the city within next two-three days," GC Debnath said in his weather bulletin on Thursday. In their bid to host India's first day-night Test, proposed against New Zealand in October, the iconic Eden will host the final of the four-day Super League under lights with pink Kookaburra ball. The June 18-21 match will be telecast live by BCCI's official broadcaster Star Sports as the Sourav Ganguly-led Cricket Association of Bengal is leaving no stone unturned but the former India captain will certainly pray that rain stay away to halt the proceedings. The Eden is equipped with covers across the length and breadth of the ground but it remains to be seen how much rainfall the venue receives. The match will be a 2.30 pm start in three sessions.