IPL: Why Eden Gardens And Arun Jaitley Stadium Are The Only Indian Grounds To Retain The Pre-Game Bell Ritual?

Before every game, the esteemed Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata and Arun Jaitley Stadium still perform the traditional "bell ringing" routine. Back in September 2016, India's first World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, started a tradition at Eden Gardens.

OneCricket explains the specifics of why Eden Gardens and Arjun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi are the only venues in India that have pre-game bell-ringing customs, as well as the reasons why they were instituted in the first place.

History of Bell Ringing Ritual at Eden Gardens

It's common knowledge that Eden Gardens attracts sizable, energetic crowds. Steve Waugh, a former captain of Australia, went so far as to call the location "Lord's" of the Indian subcontinent. Interestingly, the location in England has a bell that is rung before to the commencement of play.
When Sourav Ganguly was President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) back in July 2016, he announced that he would be placing a bell beside this one at Eden Gardens later that year.

Ganguly fulfilled his promise

In keeping with his word, Ganguly installed a specially made and imported bell and asked 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev to ring it before the commencement of India's Test match against the visiting New Zealand side in September 2016.

Before Kolkata Knight Riders' home IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals on April 16, the hallowed Eden Gardens bell was heard ringing. In front of an enthusiastic Eden Gardens audience, former Australian captain and current commentator Michael Clarke kicked off the event in honor of the world's greatest league.

The bell ringing occurs before every game in Delhi. Gautam Gambhir just did the honors during the India vs Australia 2nd Test in the BGT series in 2023.