Eden Gardens has never really disappointed Rohit Sharma. From winning his maiden IPL title for Mumbai Indians to scoring his first-ever Test hundred in late 2013 against the West Indies to the unforgettable 264 versus Sri Lanka eight winters ago, Rohit’s moments of ecstasy have mostly been at the Eden.

Blazing his way to a 67- ball 83 in his comeback game in Guwahati on Tuesday, after the left-thumb injury, Rohit would certainly be keen enough to come up with another special at his happy hunting ground when India face the struggling Sri Lankans at this iconic venue in the second ODI on Thursday. For sure it wouldn’t get any better for India if they seal yet another bilateral home series at the Eden itself.

Doing so would also be a fine present for head coach Rahul Dravid, who turned 50 on Wednesday. With no practice session scheduled, the Indian team members, arriving in the city in the afternoon, had a nice time celebrating Dravid’s birthday at the team hotel.

The Eden also awaits a Virat Kohli special, particularly as he kickstarted the year with a century in the first ODI. More importantly, Kohli seems to have regained his rhythm and fluency, which was missing for a greater part of 2022.

At the Eden though, playing strokes at will may not be too easy for the Rohits and Kohlis. The pitch does have a sprinkling of grass, which should bring the bowlers, especially the quicks, into play. Of course, if the Sri Lankans again drop sitters like they had done to let Kohli off twice (on 52 and 81) in Guwahati, their bowlers can risk being pummelled to all corners.

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and (right) Chamika Karunaratne at Calcutta airport on Wednesday Picture by Santosh Ghosh

Those catches that wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka dropped aren’t grassed even in the Cricket Association of Bengal second-division games.

But all said and done, romping to a 300-plus total doesn’t appear to be easy on this wicket. From that perspective as well, India are far better placed than their opponents.

The Sri Lankan top order was at sea before Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj early on even on that belter the other evening. One can only imagine how arduous the task might become for Sri Lanka if Shami, Siraj and Umran Malik get a fair bit of purchase from the Eden track.

Combination-wise, India may remain unchanged unless someone’s down with a niggle or so. For the visitors, they do have lots to think about.