Sachin Tendulkar: The Left Pad First
The Master Blaster, arguably the greatest batsman of all time, had a simple yet non-negotiable ritual before walking out to bat: he always put on his left pad first. This was a superstition he maintained throughout his storied career, believing it brought
him good fortune at the crease. Tendulkar was also particular about his bats, famously getting his favourite one repaired rather than replacing it. During the tense final of the 2011 World Cup, he didn't watch the concluding moments, choosing instead to pray inside the dressing room. His devotion to these rituals became as much a part of his legend as his cover drives.
MS Dhoni: The Power of Number 7
For Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the number 7 is more than just a digit on a jersey; it’s a part of his identity. While many assumed it was for luck, Dhoni has explained the reasoning is beautifully simple: his birthday falls on the 7th of July, the seventh day of the seventh month. He also noted that his birth year, 1981, fits the pattern, as 8 minus 1 equals 7. This number became so synonymous with Captain Cool that the BCCI retired the No. 7 jersey in his honour after his retirement from international cricket.
Virat Kohli: A Mix of Habit and Love
India's run machine, Virat Kohli, has had his share of superstitions over the years. Early in his career, he believed a specific pair of gloves was lucky for him, continuing to use them as long as he was scoring well. More recently, his superstition has revolved around wearing black wristbands. However, many fans and even Kohli himself have referred to his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, as his ultimate lucky charm. He has noted that she was with him during pivotal moments of his career, including when he was appointed Test captain.
Virender Sehwag: The Numberless Jersey
In a sport where jersey numbers often become iconic, Virender Sehwag famously chose to wear a numberless shirt for a significant part of his career. After trying numbers like 44 and 46 on the advice of his mother and wife, he decided to go without one to avoid any numerological conflicts or perceived bad luck. The swashbuckling opener believed that skill, not a number, determined performance. Ironically, this decision to ditch a number seemed to work, as he played a crucial role in India's 2011 World Cup victory while sporting the plain jersey.
Sourav Ganguly: Faith in His Pocket
The ‘Prince of Kolkata’, who famously transformed the Indian team's attitude, was also a man of faith and ritual. Sourav Ganguly, a spiritual person, used to carry a picture of his guru in his pocket whenever he was on the field. He also wore several rings and chains, believed to bring him good luck. Another one of his quirks was reportedly not shaving during Test matches while he was captain, adding to the list of personal beliefs that players rely on for focus and fortune.
Zaheer Khan: The Yellow Handkerchief
One of India's finest fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan, had a lucky charm that was always with him during crucial matches: a yellow handkerchief. He made it a point to keep this handkerchief with him on the field, believing it brought him success and wickets. This small but significant item became his on-field companion, a constant source of comfort and confidence as he led India's pace attack for over a decade. Whether it was a placebo or not, the results speak for themselves.
