Sachin Tendulkar: The Left Pad Rule
Arguably the most famous superstition in cricket belongs to the Master Blaster himself. Sachin Tendulkar was incredibly particular about putting on his left pad before his right one every single time he went out to bat. This ritual was so ingrained in his pre-innings
routine that it became legendary. For Tendulkar, it was a way to get into his mental zone and find consistency. The belief was so strong that even his wife, Anjali, had her own superstition of sitting in the exact same spot at home while he was batting. Tendulkar also had a favourite bat he would use, even going so far as to repair it himself in his hotel room rather than discard it.
Virat Kohli: From Gloves to 'Kada'
Modern-day master Virat Kohli has also had his share of superstitions, though they have evolved. Early in his career, he would stick to using the same pair of gloves that had brought him runs, believing they were lucky. However, he later admitted that he moved on from this habit. His more recent and enduring lucky charm has been a 'kada' (a traditional bracelet) that he has worn since 2012, alongside black wristbands, which have become a familiar sight as he dominates bowlers around the world.
MS Dhoni: The Number 7 Connection
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the number 7 are inseparable. The legendary captain has sported the number on his jersey throughout his career. While many assume it's purely for luck, Dhoni has clarified that the primary reason is simple: his birthday is on the 7th of July. However, he has acknowledged that as people kept asking, other reasons emerged, like 8-1 (from his birth year 1981) also equals 7. Whether it's a simple personal choice or a deeper numerological belief, the number 7 has become synonymous with Captain Cool's iconic legacy.
Sourav Ganguly: Guru's Photo and Many Rings
The Prince of Kolkata, Sourav Ganguly, was known for his aggressive captaincy and elegant off-side play, but he also relied on a few rituals. Dada, a spiritual person, used to carry a photograph of his guru in his pocket every time he was on the field. He was also famous for wearing multiple rings and 'maalas' (necklaces), which were prominently visible during his iconic jersey-waving celebration at Lord's in 2002. Another of his lesser-known superstitions was to avoid shaving during the course of a Test match.
Lasith Malinga: A Kiss for Good Fortune
Sri Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga had a unique ritual that was as distinctive as his slinging bowling action. Before every single delivery, Malinga would kiss the cricket ball. He explained in an interview that this was his way of showing respect to the ball, as cricket was his livelihood. This gesture became a signature part of his run-up, a personal moment of focus before unleashing his lethal yorkers. The practice even drew comments from Sachin Tendulkar when new health protocols post-pandemic restricted the use of saliva.
Steve Smith: Taping Shoelaces and Avoiding Ducks
Australian batting machine Steve Smith is known for his fidgety and unorthodox style, which extends to his superstitions. One of his more peculiar habits is taping his shoelaces to his socks so he can't see them while he's batting, as he finds them distracting. This started during an IPL season where he scored a century after trying it for the first time. For a time, he also avoided eating duck the night before a match due to the cricketing term for being dismissed for zero. However, he abandoned that after accidentally eating it before a match where he scored a double century.
