Virat Kohli's No. 18 Jersey: A Legacy Unlikely to Be Worn Again
The Legacy of No. 18 in Indian Test Cricket
Virat Kohli's iconic No. 18 jersey, which he wore for 14 remarkable years in Test cricket, is unlikely to be assigned to any new player in the Indian Test team. Although Kohli continues to wear No. 18 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indicate that the number has achieved legendary status, making it improbable for anyone else to wear it.
Similar to Sachin Tendulkar's No. 10 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's No. 7, Kohli's jersey is treated with great respect, despite the absence of formal retirement protocols for jersey numbers in Indian cricket.
Mukesh Kumar's Brief Appearance in No. 18
In a recent unofficial Test match between India A and England Lions held in Canterbury, Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar was seen wearing the notable No. 18. However, BCCI representatives clarified that this was not a sign of any permanent change or tribute.
"Mukesh wore No. 18 during the initial 'Test' match against the Lions. In the India A squad, jersey numbers are not fixed as they do not have names. Players can choose any random number. The significance of jersey numbers is reserved for international matches," stated a senior BCCI official.
Mukesh Kumar, who typically wears No. 49, donned the No. 18 jersey during the India A vs England Lions match. 📸: JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/4ZrZgotMJz
Despite this appearance, Mukesh is expected to revert to his usual number, 49, if he is selected for the senior team in the future, the same number he wore during his debut tour of the West Indies.
New Players and the Unwritten Rules of Jersey Numbers
The upcoming Test squad includes two newcomers, B Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, who have been assigned jersey numbers that do not relate to Kohli's No. 18. This decision reflects a deliberate effort to maintain the significance of legacy numbers.
While Indian cricket does not officially retire jersey numbers, the emotional connection fans have with certain digits makes it challenging for new players to adopt them without facing criticism. This was highlighted when Shardul Thakur briefly wore No. 10, Tendulkar's number, during an ODI in Sri Lanka, which led to backlash and a subsequent change.
Similarly, Dhoni's No. 7 has remained untouched since his retirement from international cricket.
Kohli's immense stature in the cricketing world, marked by his achievements and popularity, has transformed No. 18 into a cultural icon. Whether in Test matches or ODIs, the number has become synonymous with his on-field identity.
Even without formal regulations, jersey No. 18 is poised to become one of the revered numbers in Indian cricket, serving as a silent homage to Virat Kohli's unparalleled legacy.