Superstitions of the India Team

[Uhaymid]

Superstitions of the India Team

source:
http://express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwi...&Date=20110322

Translation:

The Indian team has become increasingly superstitious to win the world cup. Shewag has stopped wearing his shirt which had numbers on it, Yuvraj is using a black thread, and Dhoni is wearing a shirt with the number 7, his day of birth.

Indian fans have also started to consult astrologers and numerology experts to find out what they can do to improve their teams chances.

Sehwag used to wear a shirt with the number 44 but on the advice of a numerologist he has stopped wearing shirts which have a number on the back. Dhoni also follows the advice of a "jutu-shi" and wears a shirt with the number 7 to correspond to his 7th July date of birth. Yuvraj singh wears a shirt with the number 12 to represent 12th of december and wears a black thread on the wrist as well. His mother asked him to wear the black thread to avoid the evil eye. Zaheer Khan keeps a yellow hankerchief with him in each match. Tandulker prefers to wear his left pad first and only uses old (used) bats. When he comes to the crease his family shuts off the TV as they believe watching him bat would affect his performance negatively.

A radio station in New Delhi has asked its listeners to sit on the left side of the sofa when watching matches and to use milk to quench hunger/thirst and to avoid eating meat. Eating meat can have negative affects on the team's performance.

[iHammad]

I've never seen such pathetic fans. Thank god Pakistan fans aren't like this.

[Cracket]

A radio station in New Delhi has asked its listeners to sit on the left side of the sofa when watching matches and to use milk to quench hunger/thirst and to avoid eating meat. Eating meat can have negative affects on the team's performance.

I'll do everything opposite. There was a crap load of astrology being thrown out before the Ind/Aus final in 2003, how well that turned out. I understand Sehwag and Yuvi doing what they need to do to feel their "lucky charms" which is very normal and would create a psychological discomfort without it hampering their play, but for the viewers its just stupid as hell.

[Munda Pakistani]

If this is indeed true, it's sad to see ZAK joining in this idiocy.

[Cracket]

Originally Posted by iHammad I've never seen such pathetic fans. Thank god Pakistan fans aren't like this.

Man don't you people ever get tired of generalizations?

HERP DERP Amir is a cheater all Pakis are cheaters.
DERP HERP a pathetically low percentage of people will take the pains to sit on their right buttocks so it must mean its true for all Indians.

Seriously grow the **** up, its 2011.

[AZ]

Indians need to start consuming more beef and hashish if they are to stand a chance in this WC.

[Ryankhan]

hahahahahha wat a JOKE, i mean ru SErIOUS???????

GROW UP you KIDS!!!!!!!

[hasanmehmoodkhan]

understanable when you believe in a astrolger and do what he says you get confidence that you will perform well and this confidence makes you perform well, its the confidence that does miracles not the astrologers suggestion, whatever gives you confidence will work.

[Khan6575]

Quite understandable a lot of athletes irrespective of the sport they play are quite superstitious. But the radio instructions must be a joke.

[Dann]

at the end of the day when it comes to sports, everyone has some form of lucky charm!

Its ok no need to call ppl dumb or that they have to grow up.

[zains_rulez]

Originally Posted by Cracket Man don't you people ever get tired of generalizations? HERP DERP Amir is a cheater all Pakis are cheaters. DERP HERP a pathetically low percentage of people will take the pains to sit on their right buttocks so it must mean its true for all Indians. Seriously grow the **** up, its 2011.

How about raina ? ghambir ? & a man found in indian dressing room during WC matches ??
Sorry but indians are cheater's

[dinakar]

praying god for your favorite teams victory itself is a superstition in it's extreme.

[md_tariq]

Originally Posted by zains_rulez How about raina ? ghambir ? & a man found in indian dressing room during WC matches ?? Sorry but indians are cheater's

Did you get what Cracket have to say? I think you did not.

[GOAT]

lol Atheists just ruin everything don't they?

[md_tariq]

Originally Posted by Cracket Man don't you people ever get tired of generalizations? HERP DERP Amir is a cheater all Pakis are cheaters. DERP HERP a pathetically low percentage of people will take the pains to sit on their right buttocks so it must mean its true for all Indians. Seriously grow the **** up, its 2011.

nice reply.

[AZ]

Originally Posted by dinakar praying god for your favorite teams victory itself is a superstition in it's extreme.

no it isn't.

[Khan6575]

Originally Posted by md_tariq nice reply.

Hi Md tariq, how are you? You should check Tendulkar's thread a lot of activities took place their today.

[GabKhan]

Lol, this is funny. And not surprising. Pakistanis are also very superstitous, but I don't think they're into astrology and numerology. I've found both Pakistanis and Indians are really into ghost stories and stuff like that, I find it quite amusing.

Lots of athletes tend to be superstitous.

[Looney]

Eating meat can have negative effects ?

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by iHammad I've never seen such pathetic fans. Thank god Pakistan fans aren't like this.

Sounds like you haven tried a mirror yet...

[md_tariq]

Originally Posted by Khan6575 Hi Md tariq, how are you? You should check Tendulkar's thread a lot of activities took place their today.

thanks for the info. I will go check.

[Munda Pakistani]

Originally Posted by dinakar praying god for your favorite teams victory itself is a superstition in it's extreme.

Wrong, it's a belief. Theists believe that an All-Powerful Entity exists Who Controls all that happens. In other words, there is a clear cause which is called upon to produce an effect.

Does ZAK believe that the yellow handkerchief can in any way cause him to perform better or worse? Supposedly he believes in One God who Frowns upon associating partners with Him, of which this is a classic case. That is delusional.

[gsivak]

I thought only Indian media was obsessed with Team India. Bakwaas news for a news outlet to publish. Most sportsmen have some kind of superstition, don't see anything unique in this report.

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by Munda Pakistani Wrong, it's a belief. Theists believe that an All-Powerful Entity exists Who Controls all that happens. In other words, there is a clear cause which is called upon to produce an effect. Does ZAK believe that the yellow handkerchief can in any way cause him to perform better or worse? Supposedly he believes in One God who Frowns upon associating partners with Him, of which this is a classic case. That is delusional.

Zak believes that the kerchief will bring him good luck and his prayers to Allah will help India win the WC... Simple...

[Amoeba]

Originally Posted by Looney Eating meat can have negative effects ?

You see Michael Waugh was right - it's all down to eating Beef!

[Uhaymid]

Originally Posted by gsivak I thought only Indian media was obsessed with Team India. Bakwaas news for a news outlet to publish. Most sportsmen have some kind of superstition, don't see anything unique in this report.

it is not bakwas news.. esp for Pakistanis it is a pretty interesting story...

in Pakistan we have not seen such superstitious sport stars... at most they blame luck for bad performance, but thats about it...

It would even be news for many Pakistanis if they heard about the astrology and numerology involved in many marriages in India....

[Kenyan Desi]

Originally Posted by Munda Pakistani If this is indeed true, it's sad to see ZAK joining in this idiocy.

What's that suppose to mean? ZAK is Indian and obviously he will behave like the rest of his Indian team mates. And to that poster who said these are pathetic fans, go tell that to Sachin's family. When we say he is worshipped in India, there's no ounce of joke in that.

[GOAT]

I think the joke of it all is that he's worshipped in the first place .

And what it means is that Zak as a Muslim shouldn't believe in this stuff. Quite simple.

[Kenyan Desi]

There is no Hindu or Muslim in Team India. Just Indians..Playing for India

[Uhaymid]

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi What's that suppose to mean? ZAK is Indian and obviously he will behave like the rest of his Indian team mates. And to that poster who said these are pathetic fans, go tell that to Sachin's family. When we say he is worshipped in India, there's no ounce of joke in that.

Amla is south african, so does that mean we expect him to be drinking and partying in bars like other south africans?

what sort of weird logic is this that all people from a country are alike ?

[GOAT]

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi There is no Hindu or Muslim in Team India. Just Indians..Playing for India

lolwut. Does he cease to be a Muslim because he plays for India? Must we force Gambhir to eat a live cow now? Ridiculous claims.

[Kenyan Desi]

You're putting words in my mouth mate. Many people have superstitions and Zakky happens to be one of them just like his teammates. Simple.

[Kenyan Desi]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP lolwut. Does he cease to be a Muslim because he plays for India? Must we force Gambhir to eat a live cow now? Ridiculous claims.

In India, when you're on the field..Cricket is the religion.

[GOAT]

Man India sure sounds dumb as bricks right now.

[zulfiqar]

I'm surprised a lot of Pakistanis are laughing at Indian superstitions... many Pakistanis are extremely superstitious as well. Y do you all always bring religion into this. If Zaheer carries a yellow hankie with him cuz he thinks its good luck then let him! It's not "KUFR" like some of u here are making it out to be.

[zulfiqar]

The one about drinking milk instead of eating meat and sitting on the left side of the sofa are funny though haha

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by Uhaymid Amla is south african, so does that mean we expect him to be drinking and partying in bars like other south africans? what sort of weird logic is this that all people from a country are alike ?

Depends on how you associate yourself... If Amla considers himself a Muslim first, he sticks to his principles...

If Zak considers himself an Indian first (as we Indian fans think he does) he puts country over religion...

[Kenyan Desi]

Originally Posted by zains_rulez How about raina ? ghambir ? & a man found in indian dressing room during WC matches ?? Sorry but indians are cheater's

Even Dilshan was accused of doping. We found out that was all fake. So stop hating on our number 3 batsman whose ability is equal to Pakistans entire batting line up combined.

[GOAT]

Kenyan Desi how do you feel about Kenya's awful performance? Were you displeased by the manner in which Pakistan assaulted them?

[GOAT]

Originally Posted by QuarterBack Depends on how you associate yourself... If Amla considers himself a Muslim first, he sticks to his principles... If Zak considers himself an Indian first (as we Indian fans think he does) he puts country over religion...

Sickening attitude. I guess religious freedom is a luxury in the world's largest democracy.

[Khabri420]

Originally Posted by QuarterBack Zak believes that the kerchief will bring him good luck and his prayers to Allah will help India win the WC... Simple...

Don't forget the aashirwad of Balasaheb Thackeray :jaheer

[Kenyan Desi]

Kenya needs to make some serious changes. But still good to see the performance against Australia. How did u feel when u were down 2 wickets with less than 20 runs on the board though? Please refer to last 5 overs of NZL innings for definition of Assault. ;)

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP Sickening attitude. I guess religious freedom is a luxury in the world's largest democracy.

Err, if it is his choice, how is that not religious freedom?! Think!

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by Khabri420 Don't forget the aashirwad of Balasaheb Thackeray :jaheer

Oh thats too obvious now...

[GOAT]

Not sure which game you mean, so I can't imagine I felt pretty bad. It's nice to be group leaders - something India couldn't even accomplish.

I can say I'm fairly pleased with this WC at the moment. Beat SL in a major tournament (India struggles here also), ended the Aussie juggernauts winning streak (what's India's record versus Aus in WC's?), so I'm feeling good.

Give the Kenyan hacks my regard

[Khan88]

Originally Posted by zulfiqar I'm surprised a lot of Pakistanis are laughing at Indian superstitions... many Pakistanis are extremely superstitious as well. Y do you all always bring religion into this. If Zaheer carries a yellow hankie with him cuz he thinks its good luck then let him! It's not "KUFR" like some of u here are making it out to be.

Not an Islamic Scholar myself but heard/read many say that superstitions are shirk, putting faith in something other than Allah.

Probably too off-topic for here, but I'm sure everyone here knows what a taveez is. Is this only in Pakistan/India? I've read one scholar say it's shirk because you're putting faith into the object and not Allah. How about doing the sokhta (sp?) to get rid of nazr?

[GOAT]

Originally Posted by QuarterBack Err, if it is his choice, how is that not religious freedom?! Think!

You seem to be implying that being an Indian first means putting your religion second, thus being a Muslim makes you less Indian. Think!

[gsivak]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP lolwut. Does he cease to be a Muslim because he plays for India? Must we force Gambhir to eat a live cow now? Ridiculous claims.

I hope no one in Pakistan eats a live cow. A dead one would be more convenient

I think what he is trying to say is that people adapt to the society and certain customs become shared in a multicultural place like India. No one is less of a Muslim, Hindu or Christians because they follow certain SOCIAL customs.

[Kenyan Desi]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP Not sure which game you mean, so I can't imagine I felt pretty bad. It's nice to be group leaders - something India couldn't even accomplish. I can say I'm fairly pleased with this WC at the moment. Beat SL in a major tournament (India struggles here also), ended the Aussie juggernauts winning streak (what's India's record versus Aus in WC's?), so I'm feeling good. Give the Kenyan hacks my regard

Yes but u still have not conquered the mighty Indians in WC..till then India is superior

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP You seem to be implying that being an Indian first means putting your religion second, thus being a Muslim makes you less Indian. Think!

Lol, you cant hold ppl accountable for your fantasies now... My statement was pretty clear... When someone said what he did was not an act of a Muslim, i said it is an act of an Indian... The two can and does co-exist you know...

[gsivak]

Originally Posted by Uhaymid it is not bakwas news.. esp for Pakistanis it is a pretty interesting story... in Pakistan we have not seen such superstitious sport stars... at most they blame luck for bad performance, but thats about it... It would even be news for many Pakistanis if they heard about the astrology and numerology involved in many marriages in India....

I would think you guys had better things to do than follow human interest stories about Indian cricketers. I get the feeling many of you dislike giving attention to the 'Rockstars". Anyway if you want to understand the role played by horoscope or numerology in Indian society, read a book or watch a documentary. You can then feel superior based on material from a more scholarly source

[GOAT]

Originally Posted by gsivak I hope no one in Pakistan eats a live cow. A dead one would be more convenient I think what he is trying to say is that people adapt to the society and certain customs become shared in a multicultural place like India. No one is less of a Muslim, Hindu or Christians because they follow certain SOCIAL customs.

Err, this is getting Time Passy but if those cultural customs involve something that's against the religion, it kinda does make one less of a Muslim, Hindu, or Christian. You can't drink, praise Ganesh and claim Jesus Christ is the son of God and still be a Muslim. It no workey like that.

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi Yes but u still have not conquered the mighty Indians in WC..till then India is superior

At this particular moment in time in this particular tournament, how is India superior? Pakistan is 5-1 and India is 4-1-1. India isn't even the best team of the tournament, SA is.

[d0gers]

Lots of cricketers have superstitions, nothing new.

Steve Waugh had the famous red handkerchief.

Sanath Jayasuriya before every delivery has an extremely elaborate getting-into-stance routine.

Cricketers (the good ones anyway) are creatures of habit, so they like to keep things as routine as possible.

[QuarterBack]

Originally Posted by d0gers Lots of cricketers have superstitions, nothing new. Steve Waugh had the famous red handkerchief. Sanath Jayasuriya before every delivery has an extremely elaborate getting-into-stance routine. Cricketers (the good ones anyway) are creatures of habit, so they like to keep things as routine as possible.

And that is all there is to it but sadly, some ppl bring religion into the discussion...

[gsivak]

[QUOTE=LowkeyP;3617044]Err, this is getting Time Passy but if those cultural customs involve something that's against the religion, it kinda does make one less of a Muslim, Hindu, or Christian. You can't drink, praise Ganesh and claim Jesus Christ is the son of God and still be a Muslim. It no workey like that.

Uhmm I guess you feel strongly about it. In my eyes and if I am not mistaken in the eyes of most Indians we share a lot of customs for example most Keralites irrespective of religion celebrate Onam. Christmas is huge in Calcutta among non-christians too, loads of Hindus visit Haji Ali etc. We can live with segregating our religious beliefs and our social behavior. That is not to say everyone has to think like us.

[Kenyan Desi]

If I was any other team, I would fear Dhonis captaincy more than Afridis. Pakistan has lost the killer instinct that they once had. They're not even taking their batting power plays these days.

[Munda Pakistani]

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi What's that suppose to mean? ZAK is Indian and obviously he will behave like the rest of his Indian team mates. And to that poster who said these are pathetic fans, go tell that to Sachin's family. When we say he is worshipped in India, there's no ounce of joke in that.

It's pretty obvious what it's supposed to mean. Islam liberates people from such tomfoolery; it is sad that ZAK is a Muslim yet involved in such foolish practices.

Originally Posted by gsivak I hope no one in Pakistan eats a live cow. A dead one would be more convenient I think what he is trying to say is that people adapt to the society and certain customs become shared in a multicultural place like India. No one is less of a Muslim, Hindu or Christians because they follow certain SOCIAL customs.

If such social customs clash with religious principles, then they are. This includes social customs in any country, including Pak. On the other hand it does make them more in line with their culture. It's a choice between one or the other. You can't eat your cake and still have it.

This might be less true for such an all-inclusive 'religion' as Hinduism, but is certainly the case for religions which have a clear, black-and-white type approach on major issues such as Islam.

[gsivak]

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi If I was any other team, I would fear Dhonis captaincy more than Afridis. Pakistan has lost the killer instinct that they once had. They're not even taking their batting power plays these days.

I used to be a big fan of Dhoni and still am but I do think his captaincy has been quite below par this WC. Afridi must be doing something right because his team just topped the group.

[GOAT]

Dhoni's captaincy is the least of anyones worries atm, maybe he'll click later on but right now its barely worth mentioning.

Afridi and our management aren't really any better but its working. It's all about execution I guess, same bowling plan (more or less) against NZ worked differently against Australia. India's top 3 are what anyone has to fear atm, disappointed by Kohli so far in this WC. Yuvi is just minnow bashing atm too.

[Crazy_K]

OMG Indian players have their birth date as the number on their backs - thanks for the ground breaking news

[TigerJat]

I don'tunderstand the one for Zaheer, yellow hankerchief,

[cricketindiafan]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP Dhoni's captaincy is the least of anyones worries atm, maybe he'll click later on but right now its barely worth mentioning. Afridi and our management aren't really any better but its working. It's all about execution I guess, same bowling plan (more or less) against NZ worked differently against Australia. India's top 3 are what anyone has to fear atm, disappointed by Kohli so far in this WC. Yuvi is just minnow bashing atm too.

58 vs Eng
113 vs WI

The only failure he has had was vs SA when he got out trying to hit a 6.

The biggest concern for us right now is the form of Dhoni and Pathan. No better day than the QF to get their mojo back.

Bowling does look slightly better now with Ashwin coming in and Bhajji slowly starting to bowl better. Hopefully Ahmedabad does not produce a flat patta which makes our already weak bowling look even worse. We need the track to be slow and take some turn which is what the Aussies don't like.

[amjad_ali]

Originally Posted by Kenyan Desi Even Dilshan was accused of doping. We found out that was all fake. So stop hating on our number 3 batsman whose ability is equal to Pakistans entire batting line up combined.

As long as bouncers are bowled to him.

[hamzie]

Jeez:"Tandulker prefers to wear his left pad first and only uses old (used) bats. When he comes to the crease his family shuts off the TV as they believe watching him bat would affect his performance negatively"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This means tendulkars parents must have been watching Indias match against west indies really seriously

[cricketindiafan]

Are the shirt numbers on jerseys of Pakistani players chosen randomly? Anyone?

[Yellow Submarine]

Originally Posted by QuarterBack Sounds like you haven tried a mirror yet...

Muh todd jawab.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by cricketindiafan Are the shirt numbers on jerseys of Pakistani players chosen randomly? Anyone?

I think in most cases the players themselves choose them - thus YK is 75, which is the year of his birth.

Afridi is 10, which is his IQ.

Butt was 1, which was the number of honest day's work he had done.

etc.

[cricketindiafan]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK I think in most cases the players themselves choose them - thus YK is 75, which is the year of his birth. Afridi is 10, which is his IQ. Butt was 1, which was the number of honest day's work he had done.etc.

LMAO

Aap ne to inko poore forum ke saamne nanga kar diya

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by cricketindiafan Aap ne to inko poore forum ke saamne nanga kar diya

Astaghfirullah!

Nah, I jest. I do love Afridi's "innocence" and marvel at how is batting is unspoilt by any sophistication or thought. He is our captain, and whether his IQ is 10 or 210, he is honest, patriotic and a true Pakistani in many, many ways! We laugh at him, but this is the affectionate laughter at one of our own.



As for Butt the Cheat - well, the less said the better.

[Yellow Submarine]

Originally Posted by hamzie Jeez:"Tandulker prefers to wear his left pad first and only uses old (used) bats. When he comes to the crease his family shuts off the TV as they believe watching him bat would affect his performance negatively" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This means tendulkars parents must have been watching Indias match against west indies really seriously

It's true that he wears his left pad first, then his right. However, it's completely false that he uses old bats. He has been using a new bat since the last couple of games or so.

It's just his wife who switches off the TV when he's batting, not his parents or siblings. And that's not because of superstition but because she gets really nervous. She wasn't even a cricket fan when they married.

[Amoeba]

Many sportsmen, muslim and non-muslim, have superstitions. It's not really that they believe in them but a sportsman needs routine and so such routine becomes important. At heart they know it makes no difference but at least it puts their mind at rest and allows them to concentrate on their game.

[Amoeba]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK I think in most cases the players themselves choose them - thus YK is 75, which is the year of his birth. Afridi is 10, which is his IQ. Butt was 1, which was the number of honest day's work he had done. etc.

top one!

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by gsivak I thought only Indian media was obsessed with Team India. Bakwaas news for a news outlet to publish. Most sportsmen have some kind of superstition, don't see anything unique in this report.

Pakistani media doesn't just dream up things like these.....(as Indian media most of the time does dream up stuff about Pakistani team).

Express News... most of the times, copies stuff from Indian media.

http://content.cricketnirvana.com/ne...10321-421.html

[mastermind_quad]

kya muslim hindu sikh isai ......lagta hai sabki zehniyat kharab hogayi hai .....

[DHONI183]

Just to add the the fun, I remember once Virender Sehwag won the Man of the Match award and said that whilst he wasn´t on the field following an injury, he was supporting Sri Lanka to win because whenever he supports India they end up losing. All were amazed but had a good chuckle at the end.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/430886.html

[farazaidi]

Originally Posted by QuarterBack And that is all there is to it but sadly, some ppl bring religion into the discussion...

Ironically, the first poster who brought religion into this discussion was implying that ZAK like all Indian players is Indian first and Muslim second. Not that it makes any sense ...

Originally Posted by Amoeba Many sportsmen, muslim and non-muslim, have superstitions. It's not really that they believe in them but a sportsman needs routine and so such routine becomes important. At heart they know it makes no difference but at least it puts their mind at rest and allows them to concentrate on their game.

And thats that. Nothing more, nothing less !

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Uhaymid it is not bakwas news.. esp for Pakistanis it is a pretty interesting story... in Pakistan we have not seen such superstitious sport stars... at most they blame luck for bad performance, but thats about it... It would even be news for many Pakistanis if they heard about the astrology and numerology involved in many marriages in India....

Didn't a while back, Afridi complain that his bad form was due to black magic?

[gsivak]

Originally Posted by W63L35 Pakistani media doesn't just dream up things like these.....(as Indian media most of the time does dream up stuff about Pakistani team). Express News... most of the times, copies stuff from Indian media. http://content.cricketnirvana.com/ne...10321-421.html

LOL after the fake wikileaks, you shouldn't be claiming that Pak media doesn't dream up stuff and as for copying stuff from Indian media, why publish such news. I am sure we have more important or entertaining stuff published.

[farazaidi]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Didn't a while back, Afridi complain that his bad form was due to black magic?

No he didnt.

[sam]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Didn't a while back, Afridi complain that his bad form was due to black magic?

That was Vettori. After NZ tour of India.