KOLKATA: BCCI President Anurag Thakur was the centre of attention as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) celebrated the hosting of 250th Test on home by felicitating players and planting saplings at the end of the third day’s play between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

The silver commemorative coins weighing 100 grams each, with 250th Test on home soil on one side and CAB logo on the other were given to each member of both teams. The CAB was also handed over the Guinness Certificate by Lions’ Club for bringng over 4000 children wearing paper hats.

The coins were given away by the BCCI President Anurag Thakur, the CAB President Sourav Ganguly, the CAB Jt-secretary Avishek Dalmiya and other CAB officials. Anurag Thakur was felicitated by Avishek Dalmiya.

Later Thakur and Ganguly planted two saplings in the K Block of the Eden Gardens. The CAB will plant 250 saplings to make the historic occasion memorable.

M. Shami and Wriddhiman Saha were also felicitated with tiger crystals and blazers. Indian Skipper Virat Kohli was felicitated with the commemorative coin and a crystal vase, while his counterpart Ross Taylor was felicitated with the commemorative coin.

After the ceremony, Anurag Thakur, Sourav Ganguly, Avishek Dalmiya, skipper Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane along with coach Anil Kumble proceeded to the B Block to take part in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as part of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.

The Eden bell that was put up to mark the historic Test and was rung on the first day by former India skipper Kapil Dev to mark the beginning of the Test match. Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming rung the bell on the second day and ‘Desi’ Master Blaster. Virender Sehwag, rang it on Sunday.