Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh brought elegance and nostalgia to Lord’s Cricket Ground by ringing the iconic five-minute bell, marking the start of the crucial series-deciding third ODI between India and England. Dressed sharply in a well-tailored suit, Yuvraj, known for his standout performance in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory, delighted the crowd with the honorary ritual next to the Bowlers’ Writing Room in the Pavilion. Accompanying him were his wife Hazel Keech, along with officials and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
West Indies legends Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd were also present for the ODI series decider, following India’s win in the first game in Birmingham and England’s comeback in the second match in Cardiff. The MCC had announced that Yuvraj Singh, the former India international, would ring the five-minute bell, a tradition introduced in 2007 to signal the imminent start of play.
Yuvraj’s appearance at the ‘Home of Cricket’ evoked memories of his remarkable innings in the historic NatWest Series final at Lord’s in 2002 when he scored 69 runs off 63 balls, contributing significantly to India’s victory. With a stellar international career that included 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, Yuvraj has left a lasting impact on Indian cricket. In 2023, he was honored with the Honorary Life Membership of the MCC for his contributions to the sport and his mentoring role with young Indian players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
