How things have changed since the time CCI hosted a Test match

In terms of appearance, the grandeur of old is still intact at the Brabourne Stadium which hosts its first Test in 36 years.

How things have changed since the time CCI hosted a Test match

In terms of appearance, the grandeur of old is still intact at the Brabourne Stadium which hosts its first Test in 36 years.

Those who were present then vouch that, the beautiful pavilion building, the stands, the ground are all as they were when the India vs England Test was played here in February, 1973.

The most noticeable is India's emergence from minnows to the most powerful cricket country in the world.

Before 1973, India were mere pushovers with just a couple of big wins to show for whileu00a0 England and Australia ruled the cricket world.

That was the time when players came from India's main Test centres. An example of how the game has progressed is the fact that a player from Jharkhand is leading the Indian team today that also comprises a player each from Orissa and Kerala.

For the purists, Test cricket itself is unrecognisable from when it was last played at the CCI. The big difference in approach is right at the start. The main duty of the openers in those days was to stay at the wicket and take the shine off the ball. However, now it's as though the new ball is the easiest thing to hit. Wonder how the old timers will feel when Virender Sehwag or Tillakaratne Dilshan go after the new ball looking to thrash the pulp out of it.

The umpire is no longer the final authority. He has a match referee above him and besides added assistance in the form of the TV umpire to help out in many of his decisions.

Incidentally, 1973 was the first time when a Test in Mumbai was telecast live. The match was telecast black and white and now every angle of the ground is covered with slow motions and hawk eyes.

Then, the game would begin at 10.30 am and finish at 5.05 pm. There was no 90-overs-a-day rule. There was also a rest day during the Test.

As far as Mumbai is concerned, Farokh Engineer, Eknath Solkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad have played both at the CCI as well as the Wankhede Stadium. And this makes Sachin Tendulkar the fifth Mumbai player to play at both venues.

CCI watchman, M H Sheikh, who joined the Cricket Club of India in 1970, was on duty during the 1973 Test.

Though he is clueless about the game, he remembers the atmosphere vividly. "There were lots and lots of people. There was no place to keep your foot. There were food stalls all around," the 58-year-old told MiD DAY.

In spite of the historic occasion, it is quite likely that empty seats could greet the Brabourne Test. The dying spectator interest is clearly the biggest change in these 36 years.

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