Each of us harbours our own unique set of superstitions. Whether we rely on a preferred mode of transportation, choose a specific side of the bed to sleep on, or wear a beloved T-shirt, we are all subject to the whims of our own minds. Achieving success is primarily a result of dedication and perseverance, although we cannot completely disregard the role of chance.
Cricket players may be regarded as social media sensations and superstars by their followers, but it's important to remember that they are also ordinary individuals. They also value their achievements and regret their failures. Like many athletes, cricketers also rely on superstitions to enhance their performance during their careers. Some athletes, throughout their impressive careers, have dedicated themselves to a particular pursuit, relying on it to provide them with unwavering motivation.
Now let's delve into the intriguing world of 10 cricketers and their fascinating superstitions:
Zaheer Khan, Who Always Carried a Yellow Handkerchief in His Pocket
In this country known for its strong batting lineup, there has always been a shortage of top-tier fast bowlers. Following Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan emerged as India's leading figure in the realm of pace bowling. Zaheer, along with Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra, created a strong trio during the 2000s.
Zak emerged as the top wicket-taker during India's momentous Test series victory in England in 2007. Zaheer was also tied for the most wickets in the 2011 World Cup, sharing this achievement with Shahid Afridi. Nevertheless, the southpaw bowler strongly believed in superstitions.
Zaheer always carried a vibrant yellow handkerchief in his pocket whenever he stepped onto the bowling crease. Zaheer's journey has been truly remarkable, starting from his humble beginnings in a textile mill to achieving incredible success as he took 600 international wickets and became a world champion. His hard work and dedication have been genuinely inspiring. He will gladly attribute his remarkable accomplishments to a golden fabric.
Sourav Ganguly (Carried a Picture of His Mentor in His Pocket)
Sourav Ganguly assumed the leadership role at the start of the new millennium following the tumultuous match-fixing controversy. The Prince of Kolkata is considered one of India's most accomplished Test captains, having secured 21 victories, placing him third in the rankings, just behind MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. It is widely acknowledged that Dhoni benefited greatly from Ganguly's significant contributions to the development of Indian cricket.
Ganguly had a remarkable career in international cricket, spanning more than 15 years, during which he accumulated an impressive total of over 18000 runs. During the chaotic era when everyone turned to Dada, he sought solace in his beliefs. The left-handed player always carried a picture of his mentor in his pocket whenever he stepped onto the pitch.
The Bengal tiger strongly adhered to various superstitions. In the past, he would adorn himself with various accessories such as rings and masalas, and he even went as far as changing his T-shirt number. No matter how many varied ideas Dada possessed, his repertoire will always include elegant cover drives.
Sachin Tendulkar (Started With the Left Pad)
Sachin Tendulkar entered the Test arena as a mere 16-year-old, facing the formidable Pakistani bowling attack in 1989. The legendary batsman achieved his maiden Test century in 1992 against England and continued to excel after that. With a career spanning nearly 25 years, Tendulkar amassed a staggering 34000+ runs in international matches, shouldering the hopes of billions.
Despite possessing immense talent, skills, and a plethora of achievements, the 'God of cricket' held firm beliefs in superstitions. Tendulkar had a consistent habit of putting on his left pad first every time he stepped up to bat. His achievement is attributed mainly to his skill with the bat and is not significantly influenced by his adherence to a specific order of wearing the pads.
Sachin and his wife, Anjali, also believed in a superstition. She would always occupy the identical position in the room for the entire duration of Sachin's batting. When the exceptional batsman stepped onto the pitch, the entire nation held its breath, captivated by his extraordinary brilliance.
Virender Sehwag (No Assigned Number)
Undoubtedly, Virender Sehwag stood out as India's most courageous and captivating opening batsman. Sehwag created an exhilarating atmosphere for fans and instilled fear in bowlers. The Nawab of Najafgarh stands alone as the sole Indian cricketer to have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring two triple centuries in Test matches.
Sehwag is renowned for his astute mindset and clever social media posts. Like his fellow opening partner, he also adhered to a well-known superstition: Sehwag didn't have a designated number on his jersey! During the initial phase of his career, the pitcher would wear the number 44 on his jersey. However, after noticing certain trends in his scores, Sehwag decided to remove it, resulting in a vacant space on the back of his jersey.
The Delhi opener has amassed more than 8000 runs in both ODI and test matches, showcasing an aggressive strike rate. In 2011, Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's record for the highest score in ODIs by effortlessly dispatching the West Indies bowlers to all corners of the ground in Indore. After retiring in 2015, he has gained fame as a social media sensation.
Anil Kumble Graciously Presented a Jumper and Cap to Tendulkar
Anil Kumble, the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for India, dedicated himself entirely to the team during his time on the pitch. He worked tirelessly every single day and played a crucial role in India's success in Australia and England. Kumble made a remarkable achievement in 2000 when he took ten wickets in a single innings against Pakistan in Delhi.
It was an extraordinary day when Jumbo accomplished a remarkable feat, following in the footsteps of Jim Laker, and no one has managed to replicate that achievement to this day. However, an intriguing occurrence took place during Kumble's legendary performance. On every occasion he stepped up to bowl, he would pass his cap and jumper to Sachin Tendulkar, rather than the umpire. They adhered to this pattern until Kumble secured the final wicket.
The leg-spinner from Karnataka concluded his career with an impressive tally of 619 wickets in test matches and 337 wickets in ODIs. In 2008, he led the Indian team to a historic victory at Perth. Kumble also served as the coach of the Indian team starting in 2016, but he controversially resigned following the disappointing outcome of the Champions Trophy final.
Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar SAT Together but Did Not Watch the WC 2011 Final Chase
In order to emerge victorious in a tournament of the magnitude of the World Cup, in addition to consistently displaying exceptional cricketing skills over approximately two months, a team must also rely on that elusive stroke of good fortune. In 2011, India finally fulfilled their long-standing desire to win the World Cup after a wait of 28 years. It was a memorable moment when MS Dhoni confidently hit a delivery from Kulasekara over long-on. It also achieved Tendulkar's aspiration of winning the highly sought-after trophy at least once in his illustrious career.
In the ultimate showdown against Sri Lanka, Malinga successfully claimed the wickets of both Indian openers. Despite the team's middle order coming to the rescue and securing a victory, Sachin and Sehwag did not witness the entirety of the innings. Tendulkar requested Sehwag to remain by his side until the conclusion of the game.
During the launch of his autobiography in Mumbai, he shared an interesting anecdote. He admitted to being slightly superstitious during a match against Australia in Ahmedabad. Instead of watching the game, he chose to rest on the massage table while the team physiotherapist attended to him. Viru was seated beside me. He mentioned that he carried on with that in the final of the World Cup," he stated. А где кавычки начинаются
The openers provided numerous crucial beginnings throughout the competition. Tendulkar emerged as the runner-up in terms of scoring during the tournament. He amassed a total of 482 runs, maintaining an impressive average of 53, and achieved the remarkable feat of scoring two centuries. Sehwag was well-known for consistently hitting boundaries on the very first ball of the innings.
Steve Waugh Always Carried a Crimson Handkerchief in His Pocket
Australia has a rich history of producing exceptional captains in the realm of international cricket. The likes of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke have all left an indelible mark on the sport, with their illustrious careers adorned by the prestigious World Cup trophies they have secured. With 41 Test-match triumphs, Waugh stands as Australia's second most accomplished captain in the whites, trailing behind Ponting's impressive record of 48 victories. He not only excelled as a captain but also served as the backbone of Australia's middle order.
Over the course of a remarkable 19-year career, Waugh accumulated an impressive total of 10,927 runs in test matches, maintaining an exceptional average of 50. Despite his excellent skills as a captain, Waugh also held a belief in superstitions. The pitcher consistently carried a crimson handkerchief in his pocket that was gifted to him by his grandmother. He was convinced that it brought him good fortune.
The New South Wales batsman called it a day in 2004 when facing India. He delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a crucial 80 runs that prevented India from securing a win in the Sydney test. Known as 'Tugga', Waugh's remarkable display in the 1999 World Cup will forever be etched in our memories. With an impressive tally of 398 runs and an average of 80, he played a pivotal role in leading Australia to their second World title.
Ravi Ashwin, Who Famously Carried a Fortunate Bag With Him During the 2011 World Cup
Sachin and Sehwag believed in sitting side by side exclusively during the quarter-final and final matches of the World Cup 2011. However, Ravi Ashwin consistently relied on his superstition throughout the entire tournament. He possessed a fortuitous pouch that he brought along to each match. Ashwin always had the bag by his side, whether he was playing or not.
The off-spinner experienced a rapid ascent in the world of international cricket. His outstanding performance in the IPL resulted in him being selected for the national team. Ashwin capitalised on the chances he was given while Harbhajan Singh was around.
He secured a spot in the starting lineup for the World Cup not once but twice. During the intense showdown with Australia in the quarter-finals, he dismissed Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting crucially. The Tamil Nadu office has proven to be India's secret weapon in all formats throughout Dhoni's captaincy. He has become an expert in Test cricket and is on the verge of reaching the milestone of 350 wickets.
Rahul Dravid (Started With the Right Thigh Pad)
Rahul Dravid is the embodiment of patience. He is a genuine gentleman, both on and off the pitch. With a staggering record of over 13000 Test runs and 10000 ODI runs, along with an impressive tally of 210 Test catches, his achievements on the pitch are genuinely countless. However, the adoration and admiration that Dravid has garnered from fans is a clear indication of his exceptional character.
His unwavering determination and resilience are the key factors behind his impenetrable defence. However, he also wished for a touch of fortune to be on his side. He would consistently don his right thigh pad before anything else, and he would never opt for a brand-new bat at the commencement of a series. It's not hard to imagine that someone who has always lived a typical middle-class life might hold beliefs in superstitions.
His incredible 233-run innings against Australia will forever be remembered in Indian history. The talented right-hander guided India to impressive test series triumphs in the West Indies, South Africa, and England. The 46-year-old has been given the responsibility of fostering the next wave of talent. India emerged victorious in the Under-19 World Cup last year under the guidance of Dravid as their coach.
Lasith Malinga (Gently Caresses the Ball Before Delivering Each and Every Ball)
Lasith Malinga has undoubtedly been Sri Lanka's most influential player when it comes to winning matches with his exceptional bowling skills. After his first appearance in 2004, it was in the 2007 World Cup that Malinga truly made an impact and became a formidable threat to every batter. His incredible achievement of taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries captivated the world.
Over the years, we've observed a number of peculiarities in Lasith Malinga, such as his curly hair, quick scampering run-up, and unique slinging action. In addition to this, Malinga has a highly distinctive superstition. He lovingly presses his lips against the ball every time he approaches to deliver a bowl. He is confident that his delicate exhalation of the ball will bring him great wealth.
Malinga's career has been plagued by numerous injuries, leading to his retirement from test cricket in 2010. However, he managed to claim an impressive 101 test wickets before stepping away from the format. The bowler has taken 338 wickets in One Day Internationals, 97 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals, and 170 wickets in the Indian Premier League. The 35-year-old has recently announced his retirement from ODIs and will now be focusing on playing T20s. In his recent One Day International (ODI) match against Bangladesh, Malinga delivered an impressive performance, securing figures of 3/38.