Watch: LSG mentor Zaheer Khan rings the bell at Eden Gardens ahead of clash against KKR

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan rang the bell at the iconic Eden Gardens ahead of the highly-anticipated clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, April 8.

Zaheer is one of the finest fast bowlers to have represented the Indian team. He has 610 international wickets, the most by an Indian left-arm bowler. Ahead of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), LSG roped in Zaheer as their mentor. Gautam Gambhir served as the mentor of the Lucknow-based franchise in 2022 and 2023 before joining KKR. LSG did not have anyone in that role last season. This was the first time they failed to secure a place in the playoffs.

Renowned personalities ringing the bell became a pre-match ritual at the Eden Gardens in September 2016 when Kapil Dev, India’s first World Cup-winning skipper, did the honours before a Test match between India and New Zealand.

The idea of installing a bell at the picturesque venue was the brainchild of Sourav Ganguly, who was the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) at that time. The Lord’s Cricket Ground served as an inspiration and now, a big match at the Eden Gardens feels incomplete without the bell-ringing event.

Openers put LSG in commanding position

Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and decided to bowl first in the afternoon fixture. However, the KKR bowlers were taken to the cleaners by Aiden Markram inside the powerplay. Mitchell Marsh started watchfully, but he cut loose after getting himself set at the crease.

Harshit Rana conceded 16 runs off his first over and a boundary off the first ball of his second. However, he bounced back commendably as his off-cutter sneaked in between Markram’s bat and pad to disturb the stumps and give KKR a much-needed breakthrough in the 11th over.

However, with 99 runs already on the board and some fierce strikers like Nicholas Pooran and David Miller waiting in the wings, the visitors would be looking to put up a daunting first-innings total.

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