When India takes the field for the upcoming Test match against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, it will mark the end of a long, nine-year gap since the venue last hosted a five-day game. This extended hiatus is highlighted by a startling fact: from the Indian squad that played in the last Test here in 2016, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is the only player who remains a part of the current team.The last Test match played at Eden Gardens was against New Zealand from September 30 to October 3, 2016. In that game, India, led by Virat Kohli, secured a comprehensive 178-run victory. The playing XI for that match featured a host of star players who have since either retired or are no longer in the Test side.The 2016 playing XI included Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Shami. From this formidable lineup, only Jadeja has retained his place in the squad for the forthcoming Test against South Africa.This statistic underscores the significant transition the Indian Test team has undergone over the past decade. A new generation of players has risen through the ranks, replacing the established veterans of the mid-2010s. The long gap between Tests at this historic ground has made this generational shift even more apparent. For Ravindra Jadeja, returning to the Eden Gardens for a Test match will be a nostalgic experience, serving as a unique bridge between two distinct eras of Indian cricket.
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