Cricket, despite being known as the “gentleman’s game,” has its fair share of irrational quirks and unshakeable rituals. Superstition runs deep — from club grounds to World Cup finals — and for many players, success is as much about routine as it is about skill.
For cricketers, some gear is more than just fabric — it’s sacred.
🧦 Socks & Pads First
Ever noticed how Yuvraj Singh always wore his left pad first? He admitted it became part of his mental preparation — if the sequence was broken, his confidence dipped.
Virender Sehwag, too, had his quirks — he would never look at the scoreboard, fearing it would bring bad luck.
Even in IPL, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan have been seen adjusting their gear in a fixed order, mumbling silent mantras.
🧢 The Case of the Lucky Cap
MS Dhoni was famous for his unchanging helmet, wearing the same one for years until it was finally retired.
He was also known to never look at the giant screen during tense moments — a habit many fans copied during final overs!
Sachin Tendulkar had a specific cap for nets and a different one for matches — and his bat was always oiled and prepared personally before a big game.
🪙 Coin Toss Karma
Captains are especially superstitious about toss coins.
Sourav Ganguly was once said to carry his own “lucky coin” and used it in multiple tosses — even if the official didn’t approve.
Virat Kohli, during his captaincy days, was rumored to flip the coin the same way every match — using identical pressure and spin.
Even fans joke that “India only wins when we lose the toss.” It’s become an emotional superstition in itself.
🎩 Facial Hair = Form?
Facial hair has been a strange charm for many cricketers.
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Ravindra Jadeja’s mustache twirls after wickets? Confidence booster.
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Shikhar Dhawan’s handlebar stache? A talisman during the 2013 Champions Trophy.
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Even Rishabh Pant’s beard trims often reflect his form — wild when aggressive, neat when calm.
🧘 Pre-Match Rituals & Sacred Items
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Rahul Dravid always padded up early — even before the openers.
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Anil Kumble tied his shoelaces twice before bowling the first over.
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Ishant Sharma kept a chain under his jersey for “energy.”
And it’s not just Indian players — Steve Waugh’s red handkerchief, Kane Williamson’s pocket napkin, and Lasith Malinga’s gold chain are global symbols of the game’s deeper psyche.
👁️🗨️ Modern-Day Habits
Even with data and analytics, superstition hasn’t faded.
Players today wear special bracelets, enter the field with their right foot, or insist on using the same gloves if they scored runs in the last game.
Rohit Sharma, for example, has confessed he prefers to eat the same pre-match meal if he scores in the previous game.
Hardik Pandya once refused to change his boots for four consecutive games — even though they were worn out — because India kept winning.
🪄 Fan Superstitions: Not Just Players!
It’s not limited to the field. Indian fans carry their own rituals:
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Wearing “lucky jerseys” during big matches.
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Not moving from the sofa during chases.
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Chanting player names or even watching matches on mute if they think it helps!
Some even believe that Dhoni’s presence in the dugout can magically turn the tide.
🤯 Strangest Superstition Ever?
In 2011, when India won the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh revealed he played while vomiting due to undiagnosed cancer — but refused to stop because he believed he was destined to lift the cup that year.
📌 Final Thought:
Superstition in cricket isn’t about logic — it’s about belief.
Whether it’s a coin, a wristband, or an untied shoelace, if it gives a player mental clarity or confidence, it works.
Because in a game of fine margins, sometimes… It’s not just about how you play.
It’s about how you believe.
