India batter Cheteshwar Pujara kicked off Day 3 of the Lord’s Test by performing the iconic tradition of ringing the bell, and admitted he felt nervous due to the attention it draws. Pujara followed the lead of Sachin Tendulkar, who rang the bell on Day 1 of the third Test — the first time the Indian legend was given the honour.
“I was a little nervous ringing the bell this morning because everyone is looking at you and you don't want to mess up,” Pujara told BBC Test Match Special.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The tradition of ringing the five-minute bell, located outside the bowlers’ bar at Lord’s, began in 2007 and has been performed by cricketing legends over the years, including Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid.
The third Test of the five-match Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy series is evenly poised. After England posted 387, thanks to Joe Root’s century, India’s hopes now rest on KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who are at the crease on Day 3.
Pujara underlined the importance of the morning session, saying, “This session will determine how the game will progress. If England can pick up wickets, then they will be ahead in the game. If India doesn't lose wickets and go into lunch with more runs on the board, then they will be in charge.”
He also shared his thoughts on Rishabh Pant’s approach after the wicketkeeper injured his finger, leading to Dhruv Jurel temporarily taking over behind the stumps.
“You are in the moment, you do feel the pain, but when you are out there in the middle, you do want to do something for your country. Even if there is any pain, you try to focus on batting and mentally prepare yourself that you will get hit on your body. If you focus on the pain, you can't focus on what you have to do,” Pujara said.
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