From medical college to the Metro, Kolkata has always counted its many ‘firsts’ with unabashed pride. Blame it on a hangover, but “historic” is a word that tugs at heartstrings here like nowhere else. The city’s obsession with such novelty is matched only by its sense of occasion.

Very few have understood or used this better than the Cricket Association of Bengal, which has time and again turned events into celebrations by getting the rest of the city on board. So, it’s the pink ball Test this time.