Many new cricket fans in the United States assume that a player wearing a “7” or a “9” on their back has been handed that number because it is lucky. The real answer is more complicated. In cricket culture and gear, a jersey number is a personal choice, and the meaning behind it can be a birthday, a tribute, a personal milestone, or sometimes a numerologist’s advice. So the short answer is: there is no such thing as an officially lucky cricket jersey number.
Lucky jersey numbers in cricket are mostly about personal belief. Some players pick numbers because of their birthdays, others because a numerologist told them a digit would bring good results, and others simply because they felt comfortable. This guide explains which cricket jersey numbers are considered lucky, why players choose them, and how the belief in lucky numbers works.
Quick Answer: What Are the Most Considered “Lucky” Cricket Jersey Numbers?
The numbers most often considered lucky in cricket are 7, 3, 9, and 10. MS Dhoni wears 7 because he was born on 7 July. Harbhajan Singh chose 3 because his lucky number is 3. Rohit Sharma wanted 9, which his mother found by adding the digits of 45. Sachin Tendulkar moved to 10 on an astrologer’s suggestion. None of these numbers are universally lucky. Each player’s story is different.
Why Do Some Cricket Players Believe in Lucky Jersey Numbers?
Superstition in sport is common worldwide. A player may feel that a number, a color, or a routine helps their focus. In cricket, where individual performance matters, the connection between a number and personal success can feel very strong. A player who scores a big century wearing one number may continue wearing it to keep that feeling alive.
In India especially, consulting numerologists about jersey numbers has been widespread. Sanjay B Jumaani, one of the best-known numerologists in Indian cricket, has advised several international players, including Virender Sehwag and Harmanpreet Kaur, on which numbers to wear. Some players trust this advice; others ignore it completely.
Which Cricket Jersey Numbers Are Believed to Be Lucky?
Here are the most common cricket jersey numbers that fans and players consider lucky, along with the real reason each player chose them:
- 7: MS Dhoni. Born 7 July 1981. The 7th day, the 7th month. Dhoni himself has said multiple times that 7 is not a lucky number for him but simply a birth date. He described it as a “neutral number” during a 2022 interaction with fans.
- 10: Sachin Tendulkar. Wore 99 early in his career. An astrologer suggested 10 because the number was already part of his name (Ten-dulkar). Tendulkar also consulted numerologists whose lucky numbers for him were 3, 6, and 9.
- 45: Rohit Sharma. His mother chose 45 during the Under-19 World Cup in 2006 because his preferred number 9 was taken by Parthiv Patel. The digits of 45 add up to 9 (4 + 5), matching his astrologer’s advice.
- 3: Harbhajan Singh. His lucky number is 3, based on numerology linked to his birth details.
- 8: Ravindra Jadeja. Born 6 December 1988. The digits of his birth date add up to 44 (6 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 9 + 8 + 8), which reduces to 8 (4 + 4). His first preference was 12, but Yuvraj Singh already had it.
- 23: Shane Warne. Chose 23 because of Michael Jordan, his sporting hero from basketball. He wore it in junior Australian rules football and carried it into cricket. Harmanpreet Kaur also switched to 23 on Jumaani’s advice in 2023, before leading India to victory in the inaugural Women’s Premier League.
What Happens When a “Lucky” Number Is Already Taken?
This is where cricket numerology gets interesting. When a player’s preferred lucky number is already used by a teammate, they often consult a numerologist to find an alternative that adds up to the same lucky digit.
- Rohit Sharma wanted 9. Parthiv Patel had it. His mother picked 45 because 4 + 5 = 9.
- Ravindra Jadeja wanted 12. Yuvraj Singh had it. Jadeja went with 8 based on numerology from his birth date.
- Gautam Gambhir wore 5 because his birth date (14 October) adds up to 5 (1 + 4).
- Suresh Raina was given 13 during the IPL. He considered it unlucky and taped over the “1” to make it look like “3” on his shirt.
Did Dhoni Choose 7 Because It Was Lucky?
No. MS Dhoni has said this clearly in multiple interviews. “A lot of people initially thought that 7 is a lucky number for me and all of that. But I chose the number for a very simple reason. I was born on the 7th of July. So it’s the 7th day of the 7th month, that was the reason,” Dhoni told fans during a 2022 interaction held by India Cements.
He added that 8-1 (from his birth year 1981) also equals 7, and that people kept telling him 7 was a neutral number. “If you have a positive mind and if you are working hard then the results will be in your favour,” he said. He has also described 7 as “close to my heart” while ruling out any superstitious angle.
What About Players Who Reject Lucky Numbers?
Not every cricketer buys into the idea. Virender Sehwag famously went without a jersey number altogether during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, on the advice of numerologist Sanjay Jumaani, who told him the number 44 (4 + 4 = 8) was bringing bad luck. Sehwag had previously worn 44 and then 46, also on numerological advice, before deciding to wear no number at all.
Virat Kohli has admitted he used to be superstitious about gloves, wearing the same pair when scoring runs. “That phase has gone as now I look for comfort. Now the superstition revolves around wearing black wristbands,” he told the Telegraph. His number 18 was chosen for a personal reason: his father died on 18 December 2006.
Does Wearing a “Lucky” Number Actually Help?
There is no scientific proof that a jersey number changes match outcomes. Sports psychologists call this a “performance cue” or “self-fulfilling prophecy.” When a player believes a number brings confidence, the belief itself may improve focus and reduce anxiety. The number does not cause success, but the mental state linked to it can contribute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 a lucky number in cricket?
MS Dhoni’s number 7 is famous, but Dhoni himself has said it was chosen because of his birthday (7 July), not because it was lucky. There is no officially lucky number in cricket.
Why did Rohit Sharma choose 45?
Rohit Sharma wanted number 9 because it was his astrologer’s recommended lucky number. When Parthiv Patel already had 9, Rohit’s mother chose 45 because 4 + 5 adds up to 9. He has kept it ever since.
Do cricket players consult numerologists?
Yes, some Indian cricketers have consulted numerologists, including Sanjay B Jumaani, who has advised players like Sehwag and Harmanpreet Kaur. Not all players follow this practice, and several have publicly said they do not believe in it.
What is the meaning behind Shane Warne’s number 23?
Shane Warne chose 23 in honor of Michael Jordan, one of his sporting heroes. He later passed the number to Michael Clarke before the 2004-05 series against New Zealand as a mark of respect.
Is there any superstition about the number 13 in cricket?
Yes. Suresh Raina was given jersey number 13 in the IPL and considered it unlucky. He taped over the digit “1” so the shirt appeared to show number 3 instead.
Conclusion
Cricket jersey numbers become “lucky” through personal meaning, not magic. Dhoni chose 7 for his birthday, Tendulkar chose 10 on advice, Rohit’s mother picked 45 to add up to 9, and Warne picked 23 for Jordan. When a number connects to a player’s story, fans remember it, and that is what turns it into a symbol. Whether a player believes in numerology or ignores it, the best proof of any number is what the player does while wearing it.
Read More: How cricket jersey numbers are chosen in international and franchise teams.
