Kolkata: Just ahead of the second ODI between India and Australia at the Eden Gardens, legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag rang the ‘Eden Bell’ to give a green single to both the teams to play at the Mecca of the nation. Beside Sehwag, Bengal’s own Jhulan Goswami too was present to share the honour. This was not the first time that Sehwag rang the Eden bell. During India’s 250th Test at home, the Delhi opener rang the bell too in 2016. This concept was first introduced at the Lord’s which has been rung five-minutes ahead of the start of every international game. It has been followed since 2007. Eden Garden’s was the second international ground in the world who are using this kind of a bell.
Former #TeamIndia batsman @virendersehwag and @BCCIWomen all-rounder @Jhulan_Goswami ring the bell at Eden Gardens #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/1azydR0rXX
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 21, 2017
Jhulan looked very happy after getting this honour.”It’s a huge honour for me to ring the Eden Bell along with legendary Virebder Sehwag. I am playing at this ground since my childhood days. I am thankful to CAB as without them I couldn’t reach at this far in my career,” said Jhulan while talking to the media at the Eden Gardens.
About the match, India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and choose to bat first. The Men in Blue are playing with an unchanged squad. For the visitors, Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar replaced Adam Zampa and James Faulkner in the side. Former India skipper Mahendra Sing Dhoni is playing his 300th match for the Men in Blue, on the other hand the Aussie skipper Steve Smith is playing his 100th ODI game.