To create a competitive atmosphere with elements of drana and decisive game were the main objective behind this move. The Eden garden's pitch was prepared accordingly. The test match began on 16^th February 1999. Nearly 100,000 people came everyday to see the game. The match was full of drama, ups and downs and a decision. Pakistan had outright victory. The claim of organisers were successful is this regard, but without appreciating the finer niceties of test cricket a small section of spectators, interested mainly on India's victory, were utterly disappointed and became unruly. The exit of Saurav Ganguly of fifth day, was too much for them. They were not happy with the umpires' decision to declare Anil Kumble out. It appeared to a section of the crowd that Sahid Afridi himself has not sure that it a "genuine catch". Empty plastic-made water bottles were found throwing at fielders, some concrete galleries were broken and were used as missiles. The game had to be stopped for about three hours. In this situation, the police was asked to vacate the galleries. The play resumed as the gallery was empty. As Venkatesh Prasad was out itself, Pakistan ensured victory in empty gallery, other formalities were observed as usual.

This incident not only gave bad name to Eden gardens, it also has raised some vital issues concerning the game itself.

From the first day of the match there were surprises. None could imagine that Srinath and Prasad could create such havoc within the first hour itself the Pakistan could loose 6 wickets in just 26 runs on the board. But credit goes to veteran Moin Khan, for his scoring 70 runs taking his teams total to a face-saving figure of 185.

Sadanand Ramesh, the Indian opener steadily laid the foundation. But the failure of the middle-order batsmen came in the way of comfortable total. The young fast bowler of Pakistan, Sohib Aktar in successive delivaries bowled out Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. Azhar and Ganguly did not fair well. India had a very narrow margin of 38 runs.

In the second innings, because of Srinath's deadly bowling, none with the Pakistani batsmen wer comfortable. Exception was Syed Anwar. Though Srinath got eight wickets, Anwar remained unbeaten with a petient knock of 188. It revealed the "fighting back spirit" of Pakistan Cricket team. The target before India was 289 runs.

Two openers Ramesh and Laxman smoothly made hundred runs partnership. Indians were then optimistic. But this was short lived. Sachin was run out with his score of only 9 runs. The manner in which he was declared run out raised controversy. The spectators raised slogans against the umpire's decision and demanded Sachin's recall. Play was stopped. The play resumed only after Sachin made an appeal to the galleries. But India's batting debacle continued.

On the fifth day India were to have sixty five runs to win with four wickets in hand. But Ganguly and Kumble practically collapsed before Pakistani fast bowlers. They could not put up any fight. When the last pair came to bat, there was uproar in the gallery. Missiles were started pouring in from section of crowd. Many complained that Izaz Ahmed and Youhana made indecent gestures towards the gallery. Calcutta Police Commissioner, Mr. Dinesh Vajpayee also confirmed that conducts of some Pakistani players were really provocative. If they were found guilty after proper enquiry, must be punished.

But it is also a fact that the healthy tradition of witnessing game is gradually disappearing from Eden gardens. It is also a fact that a small group of people were consistently raising crude communal slogans. For last few days most of the newspapers were no less responsible for certain passion under different guises. They seemed to have forgotten their role of maintaining a healthy mind-set for appreciating the niceties of the game. Apart from mass media, the opinions leader can not shirk their responsibilities. Opinion leaders have some positive and active role to play for creating sportsmanship among the general people.