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IPL 2024 | Why Arun Jaitley Stadium And Eden Gardens The Only Ground In India To Follow Pre-Game Bell Ritual

KKR's Andre Russell ringing the Eden Gardens bell (x.com)KKR's Andre Russell ringing the Eden Gardens bell (x.com)

The iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata and Arun Jaitley Stadium continues to preserve its ‘bell ringing’ ritual prior to the start of every game. The tradition at Eden Gardens was launched back in September 2016 by India’s first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev.

Here at OneCricket, we unveil details behind the reasons as to why the Eden Gardens and Delhi's Arjun Jaitley stadium are the only stadium that follows the pre-game bell ringing ritual in India, and also unravel the reasons behind its implementation in the first place.

History of Bell Ringing Ritual at Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens is widely recognized for hosting large and vibrant crowds. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh even described the venue as ‘Lord’s’ of the Indian subcontinent. Notably, the England-based venue also features a bell that is rung before the start of play.

Back in July 2016, at the time when local boy Sourav Ganguly was the President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), the former Indian captain declared that he will be installing a similar bell at Eden Gardens later that same year.

Ganguly lived up to his promise by installing a customized and an imported bell, and invited 1983 World Cup winning skipper Kapil Dev to ring the same prior to the start of India’s Test match against the visiting New Zealand team in September 2016.

The sanctified Eden Gardens bell was also heard ringing on April 16, prior to KKR’s home IPL 2024 game against Rajasthan Royals. Celebrating the blockbuster IPL affair, it was former Australian captain and active commentator Michael Clarke who kickstarted the proceedings in front of a lively Eden Gardens crowd.

The same thing takes place in Delhi, with the bell ring taking place prior to the game. Recently it took place during the India Vs Australia 2nd Test in the BGT series in 2023, when Gautam Gambhir did the honours.