Busting the most popular myths around cricket
The sport of cricket is over 100 years old. While it is not as popular as football, it is still considered a religion in quite a few countries, including India. As a result, the sport has developed quite a few myths over the years. As they still continue to make rounds, we bust some of the most popular myths around cricket.
Ricky Ponting batted with a spring in his bat
Australia thrashed India in the 2003 ICC World Cup final, in South Africa. It broke millions of hearts in India. However, soon after, rumors started doing rounds that Australian skipper Ricky Ponting had batted with a spring in his bat as he played a great knock of 140*. However, there is no evidence or proof about it. It remains one of the popular myths.
Australia did not enforce follow-on following miraculous Eden Test
Any cricket fan would remember the epic Test between India and Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001, where the latter lost despite enforcing a follow-on. Since then, there has been a myth that Australia stopped enforcing the follow-on. However, just months after that match, Australia did enforce a follow-on in The Ashes at The Oval, which they did win.
AB de Villiers played hockey and football for South Africa
South Africa's retired explosive batsman AB de Villiers made a tremendous name for himself due to his sound batting technique. However, during his tenure as a player, there was also a myth that he had also played hockey and football for South Africa at international level. Interestingly, AB de Villiers put those rumors aside in his biography.
Jasprit Bumrah busts myth about English tracks
England pitches have long been known to assist pacers, especially seamers, owing to regular overcast and windy conditions. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah recently busted the myth. Playing the ongoing ICC World Cup, Bumrah said that English tracks are the flattest in the world and there is nothing for the bowlers. Interestingly, we haven't seen several high-scoring matches due to pressure of the World Cup.
India lost when Sachin Tendulkar scored a century
Sachin Tendulkar is considered as the GOAT of cricket. However, there's a strong myth involving him that India lost whenever he scored a century. The myth can be simply busted by stats: ODIs: 463, Lost: 200, Losing tons: 14, Winning tons: 33. Tests: 200, Lost: 56, Losing tons: 11, Winning tons: 20. Need we say more?
