The T20 World Cup is going to start in a couple of days and the Men in Blue are in Sri Lanka to defend their 2011 title. But don't be surprised if you see the boys take the field in the emerald isle wearing the jerseys they used in 2011 and not in the ones that kit-sponsors Nike showcased recently. The new jerseys were pretty flamboyant and even the cricketers liked it. Fashion-conscious Virat Kohli, the current flavour of Team India, even tweeted about the Nike kit, saying that it suited the boys well.
Some believe that the decision to junk the new jerseys was taken due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s president N Srinivasan's superstitious nature. Apparently, the gent consults a man named Vaastu Venkatesan even for smallest of small things and then acts according to his decision. He is also said to have restored a temple outside Chepauk stadium in Chennai because he believed that it watched over the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association of which he is the president. Mr Srinivasan also showed his superstitious streak during the Indian Premier League in 2010, when his team Chennai Super Kings had to travel from Himachal Pradesh to Chennai straight instead of going to Mumbai, the destination for their next match, because the "date was unsuitable for travel". After a string of early defeats, Mr Srinivasan had the team switch their dressing room and dugouts at the MA Chidambaram Stadium too.
We have heard about sportspersons being superstitious about what they wear or their equipment especially before important matches, but have you ever heard of a sports official being this superstitious? The reason for such superstition is not hard to find: cricket is a money-making venture and everyone associated with the game will do anything to win matches and tournaments. But what next after the kit? In Sri Lanka, even if India loses, Mr Srinivasan cannot possibly ask for a dugout change, can he? However, he has started off well and we hope that the cup will remain in our kitty this year too. Even if that means wearing our old India jerseys when we cheer for our boys.
{{/usCountry}}We have heard about sportspersons being superstitious about what they wear or their equipment especially before important matches, but have you ever heard of a sports official being this superstitious? The reason for such superstition is not hard to find: cricket is a money-making venture and everyone associated with the game will do anything to win matches and tournaments. But what next after the kit? In Sri Lanka, even if India loses, Mr Srinivasan cannot possibly ask for a dugout change, can he? However, he has started off well and we hope that the cup will remain in our kitty this year too. Even if that means wearing our old India jerseys when we cheer for our boys.
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