![Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787642731915_PujaraandAshwin.jpg?type=hq)
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: AFP]
Ravichandran Ashwin was found in a hilariously compromised situation even after retiring from international cricket in 2024. The former Indian spinner was found responding to an uncommon superstitious ritual that was leaked by his former teammate and Indian Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara.
Speaking at a talk show on Sony Sports Network during the India vs Sri Lanka Test series, Pujara was found leaking a massive secret about Ravichandran Ashwin on the field during their playing days that helped him get wickets. Later, the spinner also reacted to the claim on his social media handle.
Cheteshwar Pujara leaks Ashwin’s secret to take wickets
Discussing some uncommon beliefs and rituals practised by bowlers all over the world, Pujara shared a massive secret about Ashwin, the 765 international wicket-taker. Pujara revealed that the bowler had a weird belief about handing his cap to the umpire before bowling his over.
“There’s this one story about Ashwin. I’ve never really discussed it with him, but whenever he used to come on to bowl, he had this thing where he would give me his cap, and I would hand it over to the umpire. The first time, he would give it to me, and the next time, I would have to take it from him,” Pujara shared.
The Indian Test batter also revealed how sometimes the ex-CSK star would chase him to complete the cap-handing ritual on the field whenever he was desperate to get a wicket.
“Now, quite often, when he wasn’t getting wickets, he would actually look for me on the field, like, ‘Where is the guy?’ Because he felt that if he gave me his cap, maybe something would happen and he might get a wicket,” Cheteshwar Pujara shared.
Also Read- Cheteshwar Pujara Breaks Silence On Ajinkya Rahane’s Retirement From International Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin responds to Pujara’s claim
Ashwin, who has shared 78 Test matches with Pujara across continents while playing for India, also expressed his take on the ritual, partially confirming the claim of the veteran Test batter.
Taking to his official social media handle on X, the Indian cricketer reshared the video of Pujara speaking on the superstitious claim on Sony’s programme with a cryptic caption.
Ashwin shared four emojis in the caption; two of them were star-struck emojis, and the other two were crazy faces. While it doesn’t confirm anything, it partially means that he is playfully acknowledging Cheteshwar Pujara’s story and having a laugh about his own quirky habit.
Ashwin’s superstitious belief is similar to that of India legend
There is a long list of cricketers who had hilarious superstitious rituals before coming out to play on the field. However, some of the most popular of them are those of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly’s.
India’s legendary batter, Tendulkar, however, had a practice that was almost the same as that of Ravichandran Ashwin. He famously believed in handing Anil Kumble's sweater to the umpire himself during a match to help break partnerships. In another practice, he always used to put on his left leg pad first before walking out to bat.
Other than Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag wore a jersey with no number on his back for a long period because he considered it lucky. However, he later switched to numbers after suggestions from numerology.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also used to carry the photograph of his teacher in his pocket during matches while wearing several rings around his fingers for bringing good luck for himself and the team.
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