Cricketers look for safety in numbers

For cricketers keen to perform in the domestic T20 league, numbers speak louder than words. Look at any jersey and the number on it will likely be there because of superstitious, numerological or sentimental reasons.

For cricketers keen to perform in the domestic T20 league, numbers speak louder than words. Look at any jersey and the number on it will likely be there because of superstitious, numerological or sentimental reasons.

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Take, for example, the No 21 that left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, flaunts. Abdullah, nicknamed ‘Ikki’, is known for blowing kisses to fans in the stands every time he picks up a wicket. Put Ikki and kiss together and you get ikkis (21)!

Argentina fan Sachin Tendulkar’s No 10, which is the same as the one Diego Maradona used to flaunt, is a lot more obvious. Yuvraj Singh, born on December 12, wears a No 12 jersey, while Harbhajan Singh, born on July 3, wears a No 3.

If they don’t get a number of their choice, cricketers don’t mind innovating. Rohit Sharma, who wanted a No 9 when he joined Mumbai Indians, settled for a 45 since the digits add up to 9. Yusuf Pathan, who was denied No 9 at KKR, ultimately went with No 999.