11 cricketers and their uncanny superstitions you need to know

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Born on 7 July, India's ODI captain MS Dhoni has been fixated with the number 7. Believing it to be his lucky number, Dhoni has been sporting a number 7 jersey right from the start of his career. In 2013, he also launched his line of perfumes as "7 by MS Dhoni."

Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli is no stranger to superstitions. The right-hander has had numerous superstitions ever since he stepped into the cricket world. Kohli had once said, "Earlier, I used to wear the same pair of gloves with which I'd been scoring runs. That phase has gone. Now, I wear whatever I'm comfortable in." His new superstition revolves around sporting black wristbands, but his biggest lucky charm has been his 'kada' that has been an indispensable part of his cricketing life since 2012.

India's frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin carried a bag with him during the 2011 World Cup. Though he featured in just two matches for India, the right-arm offspinner ensured that he didn't forget to carry his lucky bag throughout the tournament. As fate would have it, India ended up winning the mega event for the second time in the history of cricket.

One of India's most destructive opening batsmen, the Nawab of Najafgarh was initially seen sporting a number 44 jersey while playing for India. However, after a slump in form, the right-handed batsman opted for a numberless jersey on the advice of his numerologist.

Just like Dhoni, Team India discard Yuvraj Singh has been a firm believer of numbers. Born on 12 December, the left-handed batsman chose to wear a number 12 jersey whenever he represented India. Apart from wearing a jersey sporting his lucky number, Yuvi also wears a black thread on his wrist during the matches.

Age might have caught up with Zaheer Khan, but the Indian seamer's contribution towards his side's success in the 2011 World Cup cannot be overlooked. The left-arm bowler took 21 wickets in eight matches to emerge as the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. A lot of those wickets might have been a result of his sheer bowling prowess, but if you ask Zaheer, he'll probably credit it to his superstition of carrying a yellow handkerchief during every game for the feat.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke listens to loud music before going out to bat in every game. According to the right-handed batsman, the loud music not only brings him good fortune, but also gives him the ability to concentrate in a match.

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid is considered to be one of the most technically-sound batsmen in the world of cricket. But the key to his unbreakable defence might have been his superstition with thigh pads. The Wall believed in putting on his right thigh pad first before going out to bat in every single game. Apart from his belief, Dravid insisted on using a new bat ahead of a crucial series.

South Africa's fiery seamer Dale Steyn makes it a point to step onto the field with his left foot first, while eyeing the sky. The right-arm bowler follows this superstition by heart ahead of every match that he plays for his side.

Sri Lankan fast-bowler Lasith Malinga has been one of the most unique yet influential bowlers in the modern-era of cricket. His one-of-a-kind sling-arm bowling action has proved to be the nemesis of the opposition batsmen for quite some time now. However, his bowling action is not the only thing that has worked in favour of Malinga. If superstitions are to be believed, then Malinga's rule of kissing the ball before bowling every single delivery should also be credited for what he has accomplished in the sport.

Considered no less than a god in the world of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was also not immune to the superstitions during his illustrious career. The Little Master followed a practice of putting on his left pad first before going out to bat in every single game.