You’ve seen it in every match — a batter walks out, marks their guard, taps the pitch twice, spins the bat in their palm, adjusts their pads… and then takes stance. These movements might look like habits, but could they serve a deeper purpose?
Are pre-game or pre-ball rituals in cricket just superstition, or is there actual science and psychology behind them? In this blog, we explore the hidden function of these routines and how they may affect performance, focus, and consistency.
1. What Are Cricket Rituals?
Cricket rituals are small, repeated actions players perform before or during their turn to play. These include:
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Tapping the bat on the crease
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Spinning or flipping the bat
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Looking at the field three times
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Touching pads, helmet, or gloves in a set sequence
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Taking a specific number of steps before facing the first ball
Though they may seem minor, these routines are often deeply ingrained and executed without conscious thought.
2. Muscle Memory & Mental Anchoring
According to sports psychologists, rituals help athletes enter a “readiness zone” — a mental state where the body and mind are aligned. These rituals:
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Signal the brain to switch focus to performance mode
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Help synchronize breathing and muscle relaxation
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Reduce performance anxiety through predictability
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Build muscle memory that improves shot or delivery execution
For example, tapping the bat in the same rhythm may steady the hands and regulate breathing — essential during high-pressure overs.
3. The Power of Repetition: Ritual as a Mental Cue
Repetitive motion activates the brain’s default mode network, promoting calm and confidence. When a player repeats the same action (like twirling the bat), it builds a sense of control, even in unpredictable match situations.
Just like a free-throw shooter bounces the ball the same way every time, a cricketer might subconsciously use their ritual as a trigger for flow state — the zone where decision-making and reactions are most natural.
4. Do All Players Have Rituals?
Yes — in fact, most do, even if they don’t realize it. Some examples include:
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Steve Smith: Multiple bat taps and visual adjustments before every ball
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Sachin Tendulkar: Touched his pads and helmet in a fixed sequence
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Virat Kohli: A small bat twirl and a deep breath before taking stance
These are more than quirks. They’re performance frameworks tailored to each player’s mind and body.
5. Placebo or Performance Booster?
Rituals may not directly improve technique — but they sharpen the mental edge, reduce decision fatigue, and create a personal environment of certainty in a game full of variables.
Even if the benefit is partially placebo, studies show placebos can lead to measurable performance improvements if the athlete believes in the routine.
6. Should You Build a Ritual?
If you’re a developing player or even an experienced one seeking consistency, crafting your own pre-delivery or pre-match ritual can:
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Center your attention
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Calm nerves
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Bring consistency to your physical execution
Just keep it simple, repeatable, and aligned with your style. It shouldn’t distract — it should anchor you.
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