Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has revealed an amusing superstition involving veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from their time together in the Indian team. The light-hearted anecdote offered a glimpse into Ashwin’s quirky match-day routine and the strong bond he shared with Pujara during their international careers. Pujara, who is currently working as a commentator, shared the story while covering the India-Sri Lanka Test series.
According to him, Ashwin considered Pujara a lucky charm and would specifically ask him to perform a small ritual whenever he was preparing to bowl. The routine involved Pujara collecting Ashwin’s cap and handing it over to the umpire before the spinner began his over. While the act may have appeared ordinary to everyone else, Ashwin apparently believed it could help him find success with the ball.
Cheteshwar Pujara revealed that Ashwin would become particularly interested in finding him whenever he was struggling to pick up wickets. The off-spinner would look around the field for Pujara so that the ritual could be completed before he continued bowling. “When Ashwin used to come to bowl, he wanted me to take his cap and give it to the umpire. Whenever he wasn’t getting any wickets, he would look around the field in search of me,” Pujara said on Sony Sports Network.
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The former India batter explained that Ashwin believed the ritual could potentially change his fortunes during a match. According to Cheteshwar Pujara, the spinner felt that if his cap was collected by Pujara and handed to the umpire, it might give him the extra luck needed to dismiss a batter. “He felt that if I took the cap from him and gave it to the umpire, he might just have a chance of getting a wicket,” Pujara added.
Ashwin’s search for a wicket came with a little extra motivation! 😬 🤭@cheteshwar1 recalls how @ashwinravi99 would chase him down with his cap whenever he was desperate for a breakthrough!
Watch #SLvIND 2nd Test, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.… pic.twitter.com/c0VS3bClBm
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 25, 2026
The revelation quickly became a fun reminder of the personalities behind India’s highly successful Test team. Ashwin was known for his detailed preparation and tactical approach to the game, but Pujara’s story highlighted a much more playful side of the legendary spinner.
Ashwin finished his international career with an impressive 765 wickets across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, establishing himself as one of India’s greatest match-winners with the ball. His career was built on skill, preparation and an ability to constantly evolve, making the superstition shared by Pujara all the more entertaining.
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Ashwin also appeared to enjoy Pujara’s revelation. After the video surfaced, the former India spinner reposted it on X and responded with a couple of emojis.
The exchange between the two former teammates offered fans a nostalgic glimpse into their dressing-room relationship. While Ashwin’s wicket-taking ability was based on years of preparation and tactical intelligence, Pujara’s amusing account suggests that, at least on some days, the spinner also believed a little extra luck from his teammate could make a difference.
