Sourav Ganguly delivers on promise as Lord's-like bell to be installed at Eden Gardens

No matter what your opinions are of Sourav Ganguly as a cricketer, the former Indian skipper has never been one to shy away from making a huge call be it as a captain or in his stint as an administrator of the sport which now sees him sitting at the helm of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as its President.

More often than not, Ganguly has walked the talk and it was no different this time around with reports confirming that Ganguly’s announcement in July that a bell similar to the huge one at Lord’s England – nicknamed the Mecca of cricket considering its proud history and tradition – will be installed at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata by September, going to become a reality.

"Yes, we are getting such a bell which will be installed at the Eden Gardens. Every morning it will be rung by a cricketer from either side or ex-players. The bell is being imported and should be in place by September," Ganguly, who himself had rung the bell at Lord’s during India’s tour of England in 2014 indicating the imminent start of a day’s play, had claimed at the time.

With India set to take on the visiting New Zealand side at what is one of the most iconic venues in world cricket, the CAB officials have fast-tracked the process and confirmed that the structure will be in place ahead of the match which will be played from September 30.

However, contrary to Ganguly’s comments that the bell would be imported, it is now reported that the bell has been made in Chandigarh and will find its place at the Eden Gardens within a week’s time.

"The bell has been brought from Chandigarh. It is made of brass. There will be silver coating done on top it and will be in place by 25th or 26th of this month," CAB ground committee chairman Debabrata Das said.

Speaking to media persons after a working committee meeting of the association, Ganguly himself confirmed the news stating that the wait is nearly over.

"The bell will be installed soon," he said.

The Test at the Eden Gardens will be India’s 501^st match in the longest format of the game with the landmark Kanpur Test kicking off an incredible run of 14 home Tests for the Men in Blue for the 2016-17 season. Ahead of the momentous occasion, the BCCI have initiated a Dream Team fan-engagement drive where the fans will get an opportunity to pick their all-time favourite Indian Test XI on the Indian Cricket Team's official Facebook page.