Tendulkar rang the bell at Lord's: Here's what you need to know about the tradition

Sachin Tendulkar, who was invited to ring the bell at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the second Test between India and England, had to go back dejected as rain washe d out the day’s play. But here’s all you need to know about this tradition:

1. The ringing of the five minute bell at Lord’s by an international cricketer, administrator or well-known enthusiast of the sport is a recent tradition introduced in 2007.




2. The bell, which is located outside the Bowlers’ Bar of the Lord’s Pavilion, is rung to signify the imminent start of play. It has become a great honour to be invited to ring it on the morning of a Test match.



3. It is said that Lord’s took a cue from the tradition of the Church to invite the faithful for worship.

4. Former team India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was part of the tradition in the very first year. After Pataudi and Sunil Gavaskar in 2007, Dilip Vengsarkar (2011), Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid (2014) have also done the honours.



5. It ’s not just cricket where ringing of bells is part of tradition. During the Torch Relay of the London Olympics, bells were tolled to celebrate the passing of the Olympic torch.