A fascinating story from India’s Test dressing room has come to light after Cheteshwar Pujara revealed a lesser-known superstition followed by Ravichandran Ashwin during their time together in the national team. The former India batter recalled how the veteran spinner had a particular routine involving Pujara before he began bowling, especially when he was looking for a breakthrough.
Pujara shared the story while speaking on Sony Sports during the second Test between India and Sri Lanka. His revelation gave fans an amusing glimpse into the lighter side of the relationship between the two former India teammates, who spent several years playing together in Test cricket.
Cheteshwar Pujara reveals Ravichandran Ashwin’s unusual superstition
According to Pujara, Ashwin would ask him to take his cap and hand it to the umpire before he started bowling an over. The spinner apparently believed that the routine could bring him good fortune and help him pick up a wicket. Pujara also revealed that Ashwin would look around the field for him whenever he was not getting wickets. The off-spinner apparently felt that if Pujara took his cap and handed it to the umpire, he might just get the breakthrough he was searching for.
The former batter explained that this became something Ashwin would look for during matches, making Pujara an unlikely part of the spinner’s pre-over routine. The story quickly caught the attention of cricket fans after the clip was shared on social media, with many amused by Ashwin’s unusual belief and the fact that Pujara was apparently his preferred good-luck charm.
Here’s the video:
“If they were missing me so much, why didn’t they call me back?” 😂
Cheteshwar Pujara takes a sly dig while explaining Ashwin’s cap tradition.
Watch #SLvIND, 2nd Test, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV… pic.twitter.com/rbKLMp2aAo
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 26, 2026
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Ashwin reacts after Pujara’s revelation
The revelation eventually reached Ashwin himself, giving the story an entertaining conclusion. The former India spinner reposted the video of Pujara discussing the superstition on X and responded with a couple of emojis. Ashwin’s reaction suggested that he had no issue with Pujara making the old dressing-room secret public. Instead, he appeared to acknowledge the story in good humour, adding another amusing moment to their long association as India teammates.
The incident also provides a rare glimpse into the small rituals and superstitions that can develop inside a cricket dressing room. While Ashwin’s performances were built largely on skill, preparation and tactical awareness, Pujara’s story shows that even one of India’s most accomplished spinners had his own unusual matchday beliefs.
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