Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President, Sourav Ganguly has insisted that iconic Eden Gardens will be ready when India play against Australia in the second ODI on September 21.

Torrential rains have been a problem for the board to prepare the wicket for the much-awaited fixture, but the former Indian skipper is confident that the match will be held despite suggestions over a potential wash out.

Kolkata and surrounding regions have been received a down pour over the past few days which has hampered the preparations for the game. Australia will kick start their India tour on September 12 when they play against Board President’s XI in Chennai.

Eden Gardens’ pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has also expressed his concerns over the torrential rains in Kolkata. However, he hopes for better weather to prepare a good wicket for the game, despite forecast over rainfall on the match day.

“It has been raining continuously in Kolkata. I am obviously tense and worried because I need clear sky and the sun baking the wicket so that we can prepare a good wicket. Even till Tuesday we had rain and then again, the forecast remains the same for the next few days. In fact, rainfall is expected even during the time of the ODI and those hailing from Kolkata would know that the scenario remains the same every year around this time. Eastern India experiences rainfall in these months before the monsoon retreats,” Sujan told CricketNext.

Enquired if the wicket could give an advantage to the visiting side being covered over the days, Sujan said:

“No, there is no threat of an under-prepared wicket as such. We have prepared quality wickets in the last couple of years and don’t expect anything but the best effort from our groundsmen.

“But then, you cannot fight nature. Almost all regions around Kolkata is flooded at the moment. In such a scenario, to expect that you will get a belter will be wrong. The situation might well see the home team getting slight advantage as the pitch will take turn and the dampness will make stroke-playing difficult.”

But Sourav Ganguly told the reporters that they had taken all the basic precautions, and the ground is in good shape despite the massive rain Kolkata has seen over the past couple of days.