CAB Eyes Special Centennial Match as BCCI Plans Big 2028 Celebrations

Indian cricket’s lost romance with tri-series and marquee exhibition games may be making a comeback. As the Cricket Association of Bengal prepares for its centenary year in 2028, former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has backed a special match at Eden Gardens, while the BCCI is also weighing bigger celebration plans across the year.

CAB pushes for a landmark match at Eden Gardens

The Cricket Association of Bengal, one of India’s oldest state associations, is set to complete 100 years alongside the BCCI in 2028. That shared milestone has given fresh momentum to discussions around a special celebration, with Eden Gardens at the center of the conversation.

Speaking during CAB’s 95th annual general meeting at Eden Gardens, Ganguly said the association would begin planning in a gradual and structured way. He also indicated that CAB would approach the BCCI to ensure the centenary year includes a marquee match at the iconic venue.

“We will gradually get going with our preparation for the centenary year. We’ll also write to the BCCI so that the celebration goes on to be a special one, including a marquee game (at the Eden),” Ganguly said, as quoted by The Telegraph.

For CAB, the ambition is not only symbolic. Hosting a major game at Eden Gardens would underline the venue’s legacy as one of world cricket’s most storied grounds and give fans a high-profile occasion to mark the board’s 100th year.

BCCI exploring year-long centenary plans

The BCCI is also preparing for its own centenary celebrations in 2028, and early discussions suggest the board wants the occasion to stand out. Reports indicate that officials have considered special triangular or quadrangular series, possibly spread across multiple venues, as part of a broader year-long program.

According to those plans, celebrations could begin in December 2027 and run through the full calendar year of 2028. After the AGM at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is looking at special matches to make the occasion memorable.

One idea gaining traction is an India vs Rest of the World XI contest, a format that would carry both nostalgia and novelty. While no final call has been made, the concept fits a growing desire to revive crowd-pleasing international showcases that have become rare in the modern cricket calendar.

Why the idea feels timely

Tri-series cricket has largely disappeared since the late 1990s and early 2000s, squeezed out by packed international schedules and the rise of franchise leagues. Bilateral series now dominate the calendar, often leaving little room for broader, multi-team events.

That is why the renewed interest matters. India captain Shubman Gill recently made a strong case for the return of ODI triangular and quadrangular series, adding current-player support to a discussion that has mostly lived in boardrooms until now.

“There was a time when fans looked forward to these events because every match felt different,” a senior cricket administrator reportedly noted during the ongoing conversations. “They bring variety, atmosphere and a sense of occasion.”

Could India face a World XI?

Historically, India have rarely featured in matches against a World XI in the modern era, although earlier charity and exhibition events often brought together combinations such as Asia XI, Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies. Around nine such matches were played in the early 2000s, drawing strong crowds and considerable interest.

The last notable World XI fixture came in 2018, when the team played the West Indies in a T20I at Lord’s. Since then, however, the format has remained largely dormant at the highest level.

There is still no final decision on whether India will play the World XI as part of the 2028 centenary celebrations. The board is expected to form a separate committee to examine special-match ideas, but the discussion remains at an early stage and nothing has been locked in yet.

What this could mean for Indian cricket

If the plans move forward, the centenary celebrations could become a rare chance to blend tradition with spectacle. Eden Gardens would provide the perfect stage, CAB would get its headline moment, and the BCCI would have an opportunity to test whether nostalgic formats still resonate in a modern cricket economy.

For now, the story is one of intent rather than finality. But the direction is clear: Indian cricket’s 2028 centenary celebrations could be bigger, broader and more ambitious than a routine anniversary, with the possibility of a marquee game giving fans something special to circle on the calendar.