Bollywood celebs' cricket superstitions

Cricket is just a game for the rest of the world but for India and Indians, cricket is a religion and they treat it with utmost respect. So it is hardly a surprise that most Indians are superstitious about the game. What is amusing is the fact that even Bollywood celebs have their share of superstitions that they follow in order to ensure that the team they are supporting wins the match. While many actors own IPL teams when they go all out and admit to being superstitious about the game, even the celebs who don't own a team but enjoy a good game of cricket can often be spotted praying for their favourite teams.

Let's take a look at the superstitions celebs harbour during important matches featuring team India...

Amitabh Bachchan: Amitabh Bachchan is very superstitious when it comes to cricket. The superstar, who attempted commentary in India's first match of the World Cup 2015 and even sang the national anthem during India's match against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, is fussy when it comes to a match where the Indian cricket team is playing. Reportedly, Amitabh Bachchan refuses to believe that India can win a match if he watches it live. So, despite his love for the game and passion for the team, Big B had to sacrifice watching live matches. He is absolutely convinced that if he watches a match, India will lose. As a result he keeps speculating till the last ball is bowled before switching on his TV to watch the highlights. Big B's superstition is not limited to the Indian cricket team alone. The actor also supports Mumbai Indians during the IPL and doesn't watch live matches even then.

Abhishek Bachchan: Bachchan Jr. is just as superstitious as his father when it comes to the Indian cricket team. The actor is adamant about his position when he is watching a match where India plays. And despite the fact that the position in which Abhishek has to sit is a rather uncomfortable one, he ensures he maintains the posture for the entire duration of the match. What's more? He even has a designated chair for the purpose. He has to sit on that chair in the particular pose for India to win the match or else, according to Abhishek, the team would be doomed. So if you can't find Bachchan Jr. anywhere while the match is going on, you know he would be perched atop a chair praying for his country's victory.

Aamir Khan: The perfectionist also takes pride in being superstitious about the game. Much like Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir doesn't budge from his seat when watching the Indian cricket team play. He ensures that he is nice and comfortable in his seat before the match begins so that he wouldn't have to get up or change positions even once while India is playing. The actor is an avid supporter of the team and when New Zealand was confirmed as one of the finalists in the WorldCup last year, Aamir tweeted, "Waise yeh toh hona hi tha... New Zealand ki haar India ke haathon hi likhi hai!"

Shah Rukh Khan: The baadshah of Bollywood is the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. His team has bagged the coveted trophy in 2012 and 2014. SRK has formed several superstitions for winning the IPL. Reportedly, the actor has a set of lucky clothes, and so do his kids who accompany him to the matches. Also, Shah Rukh Khan considers his daughter, Suhana very lucky for him and believes that they generally end up winning a match when Suhana is around. Shah Rukh Khan also has several friends in the Indian cricket team and prays for them just as much when they are on the ground playing for the country.

Preity Zinta: During the IPL matches, the bubbly actress is always cheering her team from the stands. Preity Zinta is the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab. As reported in Filmfare, Preity visits the temple before her team matches. She also distributes the prasad among the team mates as divine blessings. However, while Preity is superstitious for her team, her concern for team India makes her even more cautious. Whenever the Indian cricket team is battling it out on the grounds, she sports the team's jersey. It is Preity's way of contributing to the team's victory. Even today, as India takes on the Aussies, Preity has tweeted, "I'd like to wish everyone a Very Happy Easter😘 Hope it's the happiest Easter 4 us🙏🇮🇳🙏 cuz I'm wearing my blue shirt n waiting #IndvsAus 😘"

Juhi Chawla: Juhi Chawla, along with Shah Rukh Khan is the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. The actress tries to be present at the matches, and when she does, there are a lot of beliefs attached to it. Juhi Chawla has superstitions related to outfits and jerseys. If she is wearing one specific dress and they win the match, she keeps repeating it for other ones too. Reportedly the actress also avoids giving interviews before a match is over, because when she did that once, KKR didn't win the game. She is just as fussy about Indian cricket team's matches and ensures she wears the jersey every time that the team plays.

Shabana Azmi: While Shabana might not be a cricket fanatic, it seems that everyone in her family is. So while the actress was watching the India vs Pakistan match, that was the first match of the World Cup 2015 tournament, her family deemed her unlucky for the Indian Cricket team and sent her out of the room. Rather amused, Shabana took to Twitter to express herself. She wrote, "The only break they have had from screaming their lungs out! Im not even allowed to enter bcoz of panvati!!" However, after lamenting the loss of her TV-viewing rights, she rejoiced when she was allowed in the room again. "Ive redeemed myself! India wins inspite of my presence in front of TV. Hve to confess i had to sit with my back to the TV," she wrote.