Sachin Tendulkar’s Left Pad First
Arguably the most famous superstition in cricket belongs to the Master Blaster himself. For his entire 24-year international career, Sachin Tendulkar would always put on his left leg's pad before his right one. This wasn't just a casual habit; it was a strict
pre-match ritual that he believed helped him get into the right mental zone. The belief was so ingrained that it became a well-known part of his legendary status. Interestingly, Tendulkar was also superstitious about his bats, often repairing his favourite ones himself to keep using them. His wife, Anjali, also developed a superstition of her own: she would stay in the exact same spot while he was batting.
Steve Waugh and His Red Handkerchief
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh was known for his grit and uncompromising attitude on the field. Yet, tucked away in his pocket during every match was a symbol of a different kind: a red handkerchief. This was no ordinary piece of cloth; it was a gift from his grandmother and became his most trusted lucky charm. Waugh felt uneasy playing without it, and the red rag became as much a part of his cricketing attire as his baggy green cap. Throughout his storied career, leading one of Australia's most dominant eras, the handkerchief remained a constant companion, a small but significant source of comfort and luck.
Virat Kohli's Adherence to Style
Modern-day icon Virat Kohli also has his own set of beliefs that he sticks to during high-stakes matches. Kohli has admitted that he has a superstition about playing in white shoes, especially when batting. He feels that wearing white shoes helps him get into his performance zone and maintain focus. Beyond footwear, Kohli has also been known to stick with a pair of gloves that brought him runs, wearing them until they were practically falling apart to continue a lucky streak. These rituals, whether related to gear or aesthetics, are part of the mental toolkit that helps one of the world's best performers stay at the top of his game.
MS Dhoni's Unique Approach
While MS Dhoni has stated he tries not to be overly superstitious, calling his habits 'routines', a few interesting beliefs have come to light. One of the most talked-about is his 'anti-superstition' of never wishing his teammates "good luck" before a game. Former teammate Pragyan Ojha revealed that Dhoni stopped doing so after noticing that it often seemed to have the opposite effect. Furthermore, during India's victorious 2011 World Cup campaign, Virender Sehwag revealed that Dhoni ate only khichdi throughout the entire tournament, believing it was working for the team even if he wasn't scoring runs himself.
Lasith Malinga’s Kiss of Respect
Sri Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga was famous for his unique slinging action and his deadly yorkers. But just as recognisable was his pre-delivery ritual: he would kiss the cricket ball before every single delivery. This became a signature part of his run-up throughout his career. Malinga explained that it wasn't just a superstition for luck, but a gesture of respect for the ball itself, as cricket was his job and livelihood. This small, intimate moment became a trademark for one of the most feared fast bowlers in limited-overs cricket, a ritual that even Sachin Tendulkar once noted might be affected by new rules.
Zaheer Khan and the Yellow Handkerchief
Following in the tradition of lucky charms, former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan had his own version. Throughout his career, especially during important matches, Zaheer would carry a yellow handkerchief in his pocket. This piece of cloth was considered his personal good luck charm. As the spearhead of India's pace attack for over a decade and a key player in the 2011 World Cup victory, Zaheer's on-field success was immense. While his skill was undeniable, for him, the yellow handkerchief was a trusted companion that played its own small part in his journey.
