Patience a pre-requisite at Eden Gardens

Having landed in Kolkata a good  two days before the fourth One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka, one got used to one thing: being patient.

So, when one had to wait for an hour for a press conference to begin it hardly mattered.

Before you jump the gun it is imperative to clarify it wasn't a Team India thing, but involved Sri  Lanka.

The local officials were, to begin with, uncertain about who, from the visitors' side, would be coming. Then Chanaka Welegedera's name came up.

And then started the wait.

As time elapsed there were complaints from some quarters that it is futile waiting so long for someone like the name mentioned above.

The frustrations increased. Some got so irritated, unaware of how things work at the Eden Gardens. Some spent most of their lives covering matches here and their frustration had magnified over the years.

Soon a mass exodus started, some requesting their friends to pass on the quotes, in case anything happens.

But the conference room started filling up as fast as it had become empty.

Someone from the Sri Lankan team had arrrived and the media soon scrambled back to their seats.

It was their coach -- Trevor Bayliss. Not again, said a colleague, for he had come in twice before.

But options there weren't any? So started the Q & A.

The first questions: what is the Sri Lankan team's prospects in Kolkata, considering they are already down 1-2 in the series?

"The last game was the only one on this tout where we didn't bat well," explained Bayliss. "So, first we have to get back to scoring runs because once that is done we can put pressure on the opposition."

But is it not a cause of concern that the middle order is struggling in this series?

"Yes, that has been a problem," admitted Bayliss, before adding, "But that is because our top three have scored a lot and usually when that happens the other batsmen don't get to do a lot of batting."

What is good news for the visitors though is the fact that the home team will be sans both regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. But Bayliss's answer came as a surprise, as he refused to consider it an advantage.

"Obviously, it is a disadvantage for them as they are two of their best players," explained the Australian.

"But this is no bigger advantage than what India has considering we have lost five players on this tour.

"I also believe the younger lot will give the Indian team a lot of energy. So, I can't see from an effort point of view there would be of a difference."

A few more questions were asked, but can't write all, as the wait has finally taken its toll -- there is no patience left.