Celebrity cricket stars are humans too. Additionally, much like regular people, they have some sumptuous convictions. One among those certain beliefs is superstition.
Our natural tendencies and frequent interactions lead us toward something that can bring us good or ill fortune.
We’ve all noticed some trends that have led to good news, whether putting on that fortunate clothing for an interview or walking out with the right foot first.
Cricket players are similarly superstitious and believe that in addition to their batting, bowling, and fielding skills, some of their superstitions also help them win matches. Even the pro winners who play fantasy cricket have their superstitions.
They don’t hesitate to repeatedly do the same thing, regardless of how absurd or bizarre it may seem, to honor their nation and themselves.
From Mahendra Singh Dhoni to Sachin Tendulkar, all have specific superstitions and claim that it helps them retain their attention on the tournament.
Before stepping onto the field, these cricket players adhere to their peculiar superstitions without fail.
- Sachin Tendulkar: He’s undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. It will knock your socks off to know that even the living legend used to put on his left pad first throughout his entire career.
- Krishnamachari Srikkanth: The hard-hitting opener batsman of the former Indian team had the same superstition as Sachin Tendulkar. Srikkanth also used to wear his left pad before wearing the right one. He used to walk on his partner’s right side every time he entered the field.
- Nathan Lyon: The bowlers follow their set of superstitious traditions. According to his captain Steve Smith, the Australian bowler Nathan Lyon has an odd habit. When starting a new spell or, occasionally, a new over within an existing spell, Lyon rolls the bails at the bowling end.
- Mark Ramprakash: Mark Ramprakash was among the most gifted young cricketers to come out of English county cricket. He had a routine of biting the same piece of gum throughout an inning.
- Stuart Broad: The superstitions that pace bowlers practice are unique, such as Sreesanth praying to the gods and Malinga kissing the ball before each next delivery. Stuart Broad, a fast bowling all-around player for England, has an odd preoccupation with the number three. When it’s his turn to bowl, he warms up by running up three times and bowling three balls. Even in the changing area, he ties his boots three times.
- Sunil Gavaskar: When taking guard, Sunil Gavaskar always placed his right foot first before setting down his bat.
- Sourav Ganguly: While batting, Sourav Ganguly used to keep a picture of his Guru in his pocket.
- Steve Waugh: Steve Waugh keeps a red handkerchief that belonged to his late grandfather. He used to keep it in his left pocket.
- Ravichandran Ashwin: He used to carry a bag that he believed brought fortune for the entire team, even though he only participated in two matches during the 2011 World Cup. Many people were not interested in the bag’s contents because India went on to win the World Cup. According to legend, Ashwin continued to believe in such superstitions even after the World Cup, which may have marked the “TURNING” point in the spinners’ careers.