The late Pankaj Roy had a dream - to lead the Indian team at the Eden Gardens and if possible to a victory. Sourav Ganguly probably also has the same dream. However, it is not known whether he is at the present dreaming of beating the Aussies who have completed 16 Test wins on the trot.

Try as he might, Ganguly may not get the type of slow turner that he wants at the Eden Gardens also. Preparations are already on in full swing at the Eden Gardens. And in Kolkata, a city that Steve Waugh loves so much, the visitors may well get a wicket that will be hard and bouncy. An inspection of the pitch on Thursday showed that the square is full of grass. A groundsman informed that the grass will be kept on for at least another five to six days to bind the pitch into a hard surface. The pitch is also being watered and rolled continuously to increase its longevity.

That could mean further trouble for Ganguly. However, Prabir Mukherjee, the pitch-in-charge at the ground today made it very clear that the emphasis remains to prepare a wicket that would provide entertaining cricket. Mukherjee was in charge of the wicket when India hosted South Africa at the Eden Gardens in 1996-97 and the Pakistanis in 1998-1999. On both occasions the home side lost. This time also, Ganguly may not get a pitch according to his wishes. The Aussies should feel elated to know that the pitch will be the kind on which there will be some genuine bounce for the bowlers.

Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Bengal has decided to name one of its stands at the Eden Gardens after Pankaj Roy. The function to name the stand may be staged just before the beginning of the second Test in Kolkata. There is also bad news for the spectators. The Kolkata police has banned the entry of all plastic water bottles at the Eden Gardens. A spokesman of the police department said on Thursday that they have been forced to take such a decision keeping in mind the violence that occurred during the 1996 World Cup semifinal and at the inaugural match of the Asian Test Championship between India and Pakistan. "A plastic bottle full of water is a dangerous missile," said the spokesman. "So we have banned it." When pointed out that during March, people will need more drinking water, the spokesperson added that the CAB has been asked to make adequate arrangements.

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