The City of Joy had already decked up for the T20 World Cup series. Yet on Sunday afternoon, Eden Gardens witnessed something that went beyond match preparations. The Italian cricket team landed in Kolkata on Saturday, and when they stepped onto their testing ground the following day, something special awaited them.
Ahead of their historic T20 World Cup fixture against Scotland, team Italy spent time with children, turning a routine practice session into an afternoon where young dreamers met international stars. Cricket became a shared language of joy that extended far beyond the gallery.
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Italy cricketers interact with schoolchildren at Eden Gardens.
An Unique pactice session with young dreamers
On Sunday, Italian cricketers trained with 32 schoolchildren at Eden Gardens as part of the ICC–UNICEF initiative 'Cricket 4 Good'. The girls and boys bowled, batted and received tips from the Italian players, who also signed T-shirts and interacted closely with the students.
Ahead of their net practice, the Italian batters and bowlers trained alongside the children, offering encouragement and motivation under the guidance of coach Mohsin Sheikh.
UNICEF West Bengal Chief Dr Monjur Hossain praised the initiative and spoke about the importance of the 'Right to Play.' "You have to have a place to play safely with confidence, joy and happiness. Together with ICC, UNICEF has been promoting this children's right to play through the cricket clinic," he said.
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Young students train alongside Italy players during Cricket 4 Good session.
Smiles, Lessons and Quiet Inspiration
Italy wicketkeeper-batter Gian Piero Meade shared his excitement after the session. "We coached the kids and they shared a lot of experience and we had fun. It was so great to see the smiles on their faces during the session. The joy and excitement are quite palpable," he said, adding that some of the youngsters displayed strong technique and pace.
For the children, the experience felt unforgettable. Budding all-rounder Hiramon Bairagi called it a dream come true. "The tips would be beneficial for me in my future matches. The interactions have been very motivational for me," he said.
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Fourteen-year-old Anushka Sarkar said the players encouraged them to enjoy the game. "Enjoy the game now and whatever happens in the future will be pondered over later. I also learned how to focus on fitness to play well," she said.
As Italy now turns its focus to the match against Scotland, the afternoon at Eden Gardens remains a bright memory. A short session, a few shared moments, and a reminder that cricket, at its best, leaves something behind long after the game begins. The team is scheduled to face Scotland on Monday, February 9.
