Day/Night Test: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to ring Eden bell

Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen also in CAB's wishlist for the bell ceremony of the historic day-night Test between India and Bangladesh.

Former India skipper Kapil Dev was the first cricketer to ring the bell during the second Test match between India and New Zealand in 2016 at the Eden Gardens. (File Photo)

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be ringing the customary bell at the Eden Gardens before the start of play on day one of the historic pink-ball Test starting November 22.

India and Bangladesh will be the new entrants in the day-night Test format, and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is leaving no stone unturned to make it a memorable affair.

“Sheikh Hasina has confirmed,” CAB joint secretary Debabrata Das told  Sportstar  on Thursday.

There is still no clarity as to who would ring the bell on the remaining four days but the CAB will be spoilt for choice.

“It is difficult to say that now. It depends. But we will have a host of dignitaries present. It could be anybody,” he added.

From the Indian cricket sphere, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman, among others, have confirmed their availability.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury and president Nazmul Hassan Papon is also expected to grace the occasion.

The bell will be rung at 12:55 PM, five minutes before start of play.

Chess stalwarts Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen will be in Kolkata for the Tata Steel rapid and blitz chess tournament at the same time. This publication has learnt that the duo is in CAB’s wishlist for the bell ceremony in one of the days.