Superstitious batsmen

[Garuda]

There are many batsmen in world cricket who are superstitious. Some have it hidden and some do it publicly

Let’s discuss what you have observed


1. Sanath Jayasuriya :- touches his pocket, taps his bat on both side of the crease.
2. Sehwag :- Nothing before every ball but does some meditation or reciting of something before starting innings.
3. Amarnath :- Used to carry a red handkerchief in his pocket during his innings.
4. Dhoni:- Opens his gloves straps and put it back and touch his eyes before facing every ball.
5. Virat Kohli : Turns his bat holding vertically before taking guard for each ball. Not sure if he is superstitious though.

[SUPERSAMI]

Salman Butt: Edges to slips after every ball is bowled

[kingusama92]

Salman Butt is usually always reciting Quranic verses in his head while the bowler is running up.

[Zechariah]

The red handkerchief that Steve Waugh carried is one of them I suppose.

The sunscreen on Andrew Symonds lips count as a superstition?

[Syndrome]

Misbah ul Haq: Believes getting a duck in each innings will bring him good luck in the match

[Salazar]

Imran Farhat: Believes dropping catches will make the opposition team drop his catches

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by SUPERSAMI Salman Butt: Edges to slips after every ball is bowled

You cracked me here.


Anyway, anyone knows any other batsmen who does some superstitious act in his innings.

Ganguly used to wear a lot of stuff around his neck.

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by Zechariah The red handkerchief that Steve Waugh carried is one of them I suppose. The sunscreen on Andrew Symonds lips count as a superstition?

Not sure about that.

What does chanderpaul has under his eyes. Is it permanent?

[JeeraBlade]

Kamran -- drops every other catch that comes to him --- sometimes drops 4 consecutive.

[Garuda]

Man, Pakistan fans are really hurt and angry after Sidney test.

Every thread is used to target Kamrans back side.

Kamran: any publicity is good. Tussi cha gaye PP par.

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by JeeraBlade Kamran -- drops every other catch that comes to him --- sometimes drops 4 consecutive.

But he says he is good, he only had one bad inning in the last test

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Originally Posted by Salazar Imran Farhat: Believes dropping catches will make the opposition team drop his catches

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by Garuda Man, Pakistan fans are really hurt and angry after Sidney test. Every thread is used to target Kamrans back side. Kamran: any publicity is good. Tussi cha gaye PP par.

As they should be.

I hope this isn't forgotten after a few T20 wins.

Umar Akmal seems to recite verses from the Quran when he's batting. I dunno how reciting Quranic verses is superstitios though. Perhaps in the non religious sense.

[Bublu Bhuyan]

For everyone here, try doing a Google search on one Neil McKenzie's list of superstitions in the first part of his career. The list is long, however I can name two of the wackiest - taping his bat to the ceiling of his hotel room, and putting down/up all the toilet seats in the dressing room before going out to bat. I think you've got the idea on how wacky the full list would be.

[Afridi_Fan]

Most of the Pakistan players recite verses while batting. Well their lips move as if they are atleast.

[haroonrasheed320]

Originally Posted by Garuda Not sure about that. What does chanderpaul has under his eyes. Is it permanent?

its actually a tatto that protects him from the sun rays, its his superstition not to wear sunglasses

[Keith]

Look at Morkel the next time he is bowling. You will notice that he never looks at the batter at the start of his run up. He will walk back and turn immediately and start his run. Also when he is "waiting for the ball" at the start of his run his back will be facing the batter!!!

Another 1 to watch out for is Neil Mckenzie. Apparently he has about 12 things he does before he puts his pads on!!!! Also he will not touch the popping crease with any part of his bat or body!!!

[tdigi]

I got one for bowling, but don't think this can be classified as superstition---> Malinga kisses the ball before he bowls.

This is what he said...
"Cricket is my job and my livelihood. As a result, being a bowler, I have the greatest respect for the cricket ball and I've got into the habit of kissing it before I start my run-up."

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by tdigi I got one for bowling, but don't think this can be classified as superstition---> Malinga kisses the ball before he bowls. This is what he said... "Cricket is my job and my livelihood. As a result, being a bowler, I have the greatest respect for the cricket ball and I've got into the habit of kissing it before I start my run-up."

That's superstitious I think.

You don't kiss everything you love each minute. Why doesn't he kiss the stumps while walking back

[Garuda]

Google helped

Cricketers and Superstitions

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got it on rediff.com

Sachin Tendulkar wears his left pad first.

Sourav Ganguly carries a photo of his Guru in his pocket when he is playing.

Steve Waugh carries a red handkerchief in his left pocket, which was given to him by his late grandfather.

Phil Simmons has a cross attached to his sweater.

Mahela Jayawardhena keeps kissing his bat, while batting, when he is going fine.

Jonty Rhodes keeps everything neat and tidy about him when he's padded up and waiting to bat. When his teammates roll little lumps of paper and drop them beside his chair, Jonty studiously picks them up.

During the 10 wicket haul taken by Anil Kumble, Sachin used to give Kumble's sweater and cap to the umpire before he was to bowl an over,
and every time Sachin did it Kumble got a wicket in that very over.

Roshan Mahanama keeps touching his bat to his chin when he is
batting.

Craig Evans always puts on his left pad ahead of his right.

When Grant Flower and Mark Dekker go out to open the innings
together, one always says to the other, "I hope you get hit on the head,"
to which the stock reply is, "Same to you."

Mohammad Azharruddin used to wear a 'tabeez' around his neck
whenever he came out to play.

Jimmy Amarnath always carried a red handkerchief while fielding.

Sir Geoffrey Boycott would always want to be alone in the changing room thinking things over before he went out to bat, even if his mom knocked, he would ask her to go away.

Imran Khan wore a tiger T-shirt in the finals of '92 World Cup as a matter of superstition.

Sunil Gavaskar always used to ground his bat first before bringing his right foot into position, while taking guard.

[d0gers]

Originally Posted by Garuda Google helped Cricketers and Superstitions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Got it on rediff.com Sachin Tendulkar wears his left pad first. Sourav Ganguly carries a photo of his Guru in his pocket when he is playing. Steve Waugh carries a red handkerchief in his left pocket, which was given to him by his late grandfather. Phil Simmons has a cross attached to his sweater. Mahela Jayawardhena keeps kissing his bat, while batting, when he is going fine. Jonty Rhodes keeps everything neat and tidy about him when he's padded up and waiting to bat. When his teammates roll little lumps of paper and drop them beside his chair, Jonty studiously picks them up. During the 10 wicket haul taken by Anil Kumble, Sachin used to give Kumble's sweater and cap to the umpire before he was to bowl an over, and every time Sachin did it Kumble got a wicket in that very over. Roshan Mahanama keeps touching his bat to his chin when he is batting. Craig Evans always puts on his left pad ahead of his right. When Grant Flower and Mark Dekker go out to open the innings together, one always says to the other, "I hope you get hit on the head," to which the stock reply is, "Same to you." Mohammad Azharruddin used to wear a 'tabeez' around his neck whenever he came out to play. Jimmy Amarnath always carried a red handkerchief while fielding. Sir Geoffrey Boycott would always want to be alone in the changing room thinking things over before he went out to bat, even if his mom knocked, he would ask her to go away. Imran Khan wore a tiger T-shirt in the finals of '92 World Cup as a matter of superstition. Sunil Gavaskar always used to ground his bat first before bringing his right foot into position, while taking guard.

i'm sure he also slipped in some mithai to umpire Jayaprakash just to get the ball rolling. terrible decisions given against Afridi and Ijaz Ahmed in that 4th innings.

the left pad before right is a pretty common superstition.

but in many cases these things are less superstition and more routine. a batsman has to concentrate so hard out there, especially in Tests. so the less things he needs to worry about the better. that's why they prefer to have a set system and then just follow it without even having to think about it.

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by Garuda Google helped Cricketers and Superstitions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Got it on rediff.com Sachin Tendulkar wears his left pad first. Sourav Ganguly carries a photo of his Guru in his pocket when he is playing. Steve Waugh carries a red handkerchief in his left pocket, which was given to him by his late grandfather. Phil Simmons has a cross attached to his sweater. Mahela Jayawardhena keeps kissing his bat, while batting, when he is going fine. Jonty Rhodes keeps everything neat and tidy about him when he's padded up and waiting to bat. When his teammates roll little lumps of paper and drop them beside his chair, Jonty studiously picks them up. During the 10 wicket haul taken by Anil Kumble, Sachin used to give Kumble's sweater and cap to the umpire before he was to bowl an over, and every time Sachin did it Kumble got a wicket in that very over. Roshan Mahanama keeps touching his bat to his chin when he is batting. Craig Evans always puts on his left pad ahead of his right. When Grant Flower and Mark Dekker go out to open the innings together, one always says to the other, "I hope you get hit on the head," to which the stock reply is, "Same to you." Mohammad Azharruddin used to wear a 'tabeez' around his neck whenever he came out to play. Jimmy Amarnath always carried a red handkerchief while fielding. Sir Geoffrey Boycott would always want to be alone in the changing room thinking things over before he went out to bat, even if his mom knocked, he would ask her to go away. Imran Khan wore a tiger T-shirt in the finals of '92 World Cup as a matter of superstition. Sunil Gavaskar always used to ground his bat first before bringing his right foot into position, while taking guard.

You mean a Ta'weez. I often remember him wearing it whilst playing. A few other players too. If I remember correctly Mohammad Akram also wore one, I think Azhar Mehmood aswell.

[kkmix]

Shane Watson fixes his pads as the bowler is running in.

[eViLrAcEr]

Mohammed Aamer blows kisses the batsmen, he thinks it'll confound them

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by eViLrAcEr Mohammed Aamer blows kisses the batsmen, he thinks it'll confound them

Please someone ask him to get rid of that practice. He is too young and may get on wrong route.

[Paradox]

Aakash Chopra of India used to go to the pitch a day before the game and walk in as if he were playing the real game - run in, take guard, hit strokes, etc. Most probably superstition that.

Sadly couldn't do much at all for India

[Keith]

I had a number of routines myself before I went to bat:

1. I always wore my game shirt the morning that I woke up (after shower ofcourse!!!)
2. I would always put everything on that was on my left side (left sock, shoes, pads etc)
3. I was a opener for a quite a while and I would not allow the other batter to step onto the field before I did.
4. I always carried my bat in my left hand until I asked for my guard (2 leg)
5. After each delivery I would walk to leg (2 - 3m) and then make my way back to my mark

Dunno if it was superstition or just a way for me to clear my thoughts and get everything mentally correct before facing!!!!

[Howzat]

Originally Posted by Garuda There are many batsmen in world cricket who are superstitious. Some have it hidden and some do it publicly Let’s discuss what you have observed 1. Sanath Jayasuriya :- touches his pocket, taps his bat on both side of the crease. 2. Sehwag :- Nothing before every ball but does some meditation or reciting of something before starting innings. 3. Amarnath :- Used to carry a red handkerchief in his pocket during his innings. 4. Dhoni:- Opens his gloves straps and put it back and touch his eyes before facing every ball. 5. Virat Kohli : Turns his bat holding vertically before taking guard for each ball. Not sure if he is superstitious though.

Lets not confuse habits with superstition. I dont think any of the above actually is a superstition except only no3.

[Howzat]

Originally Posted by Paradox Aakash Chopra of India used to go to the pitch a day before the game and walk in as if he were playing the real game - run in, take guard, hit strokes, etc. Most probably superstition that. Sadly couldn't do much at all for India

In my college days, every time there was a presentation, I would go in a couple of hours early, stand at the podium, imagine an audience and deliver a few lines. That helped ma lot get over the nervousness of standing in front of 500 students and reputed professors and scholars. I did that every single time for three years.

May be Akash does the same. May be he imagines that crowd pressure, great bowlers running in and great fielders surrounding him. The key to success is to feel relaxed under pressure.

[NJamal]

BRAVO- Before starting his run up when bowling look towards the square leg umpire.

MAHELA JAYAWARDENE- After hitting boundry go to the other end and touches the poping crease.

[pakmania]

Inti - Eating biriyani on the day of the match,every hour on the hour

[Garuda]

Inzi : before saying anything in presentation ceremony says some prayer to "Allah". But he says it so fast for me to catch.

[Khalil]

Trott.

Takes a 360 degree walk around his stump after every ball

[wiseguy]

Originally Posted by Garuda Inzi : before saying anything in presentation ceremony says some prayer to "Allah". But he says it so fast for me to catch.

i think he use to say "first of all i would like to thank Allah"

[Kray_jackson7]

Chanderpaul eye patches are just for luck. he hit a century or a double in domestic and wore them since

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Most of the Pakistan players recite verses while batting. Well their lips move as if they are atleast.

Remember though, this is not a superstiton though.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Garuda Inzi : before saying anything in presentation ceremony says some prayer to "Allah". But he says it so fast for me to catch.

Not superstition though.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by makaveli786 Chanderpaul eye patches are just for luck. he hit a century or a double in domestic and wore them since

I don't think they are - they are just anti-glare strips.

Yes, they are/were sponsored, but the 'stickers' are there to reflect the glare away from his eyes.

Narsingh Deonarine wore them during the recent Aus series too.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK I don't think they are - they are just anti-glare strips. Yes, they are/were sponsored, but the 'stickers' are there to reflect the glare away from his eyes. Narsingh Deonarine wore them during the recent Aus series too.

i know they are but i remember he said in an interviw he now where them for luck,.

[Howzat]

Originally Posted by Oxy Not superstition though.

Most thing stated in this thread are more habits than superstitions.

[Luton Bad Boy]

Shoaib Malik: Not to go online before batting

[Khalil]

Henry Fothering always refused to take runs that would take his score to 13. He would refuse to take a single when on 12.

I remember the day when he edged a boundary when on 9 to go on 13. He tensed up so much that he lost his wicket the next ball.

[Howzat]

Originally Posted by Khalil Henry Fothering always refused to take runs that would take his score to 13. He would refuse to take a single when on 12. I remember the day when he edged a boundary when on 9 to go on 13. He tensed up so much that he lost his wicket the next ball.

Nope. He lost his wicket because he was on 13.

[Thank God It Is ME]

Originally Posted by harisj Misbah ul Haq: Believes getting a duck in each innings will bring him good luck in the match

hahahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahhahahhahah ahha

[ZAK]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 Salman Butt is usually always reciting Quranic verses in his head while the bowler is running up.

I have noticed that and do that as well but as Oxy said it is not a superstition.

[DHONI183]

Originally Posted by Garuda Inzi : before saying anything in presentation ceremony says some prayer to "Allah". But he says it so fast for me to catch.

You are probably talking about the prayer which goes like.......

Arabic transliteration: "b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm"

English translation: "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basmala

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by ZAK I have noticed that and do that as well.

We don't know for sure if they are Qur'anic verses. Could be dua's or general adhkar.

In any case, none of that is a superstition!

[ZAK]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK We don't know for sure if they are Qur'anic verses. Could be dua's or general adhkar. In any case, none of that is a superstition!

Check my post again .

[ShehryarK]

Your edit was faster than my reply

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by DHONI183 You are probably talking about the prayer which goes like....... Arabic transliteration: "b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm" English translation: "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basmala

Yup thats it

Bismillah hi rahmani rahim . Correct?

[DHONI183]

Originally Posted by Garuda Yup thats it Bismillah hi rahmani rahim . Correct?

Exactly!

[WNC]

Originally Posted by Bublu Bhuyan For everyone here, try doing a Google search on one Neil McKenzie's list of superstitions in the first part of his career. The list is long, however I can name two of the wackiest - taping his bat to the ceiling of his hotel room, and putting down/up all the toilet seats in the dressing room before going out to bat. I think you've got the idea on how wacky the full list would be.

Yeah, I remember a commentator pointing that out as well.

Most Sri Lankans batsmen have certain motions they go through while batting for example Samaraweera.

[DHONI183]

I get the feeling there was a thread on this a couple of years back.......

[Kray_jackson7]

Atherton would never give an interview if he was 'not out' over night, but I think that was true of a few others as well.

[wanabee]

whats with dinesh kartik squating

[moiez_no1]

Shahid Afridi when batting he makes a roaring face of a lion just be the bowler bowls

Shahid Afridi when bowling sorts his hair out when hes under pressure

Shahid Afridi when bowling and he gets a wicket points his finger up2 the heavens as if hes saying there one god

What a beast

[akkers]

Chanderpaul is definitely supersitious. Just look at what he does before takes guard.

However, I dont think the eye patches are fo something else. Someone told me thery were for reducing glare and reflection. Not sure how true though.

[MIG]

Mohinder Amarnath and a red hanky in his back pocket...

[muzher]

Neil McKenzie definately the stand out in this category. Few good ones of his mentioned already. Another is that the non-striker cannot cross the halfway point of the pitch to speak to him in between balls, depending on well he's batting they can come closer.

[Sohaib-789]

Upal Thranga kisses his gloves twice

[Sledger]

A few more subtle ones,

Dhoni likes to criculate his elbow before tapping his bat.

Pietersen bends his knees and then moves back into position halfway through the bowlers run.

Not sure if these are more nervous habits than superstitions.

[eakoilst]

K.Srikkanth was one of the most superstitious batsmen. To Quote him

"I had my own superstitions as a player. I used to look into the sun as I went in, wore my left pad first, and always walked to the right of my partner, while opening the innings. "

Here is the link to a delightful article on superstitions in the Indian dressing room. BTW, the above quotes came from the article

http://www.hinduonnet.com/tss/tss2532/25320240.htm