Virat Kohli’s Iconic Jersey Number 18: A Legacy in Cricket

The number on a player’s jersey might seem like just a number, but it gains significance because of the player wearing it. Sachin Tendulkar’s no.10 jersey at Indian cricket team became so legendary that the BCCI retired the number to honor him. Similarly, the BCCI has retired MS Dhoni’s iconic No.7 jersey. Both Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo have made the no.7 jersey their trademark, wearing it for both club and country. Likewise, Virat Kohli has made the no.18 jersey uniquely his own, wearing it for both club and country. Recently, he shared his personal and meaningful connection with the number.

Why did Dhoni choose number 18?

Virat Kohli talked about how he came to wear his famous number 18 jersey during his India U-19 days. He explained that he didn’t choose the number himself; it was just a random number assigned to him by his coach. He mentioned feeling a special connection with the number 18.

“There has to be a cosmic connection with this number. I find it quite surreal even now, to be honest, when I see so many people wearing my jersey number and name,” Kohli shared during an interaction with Star Sports.

Today’s date 🤝 VK’s jersey no.@ImVkohli explains the importance of 1️⃣8️⃣ in his life’s events! Will today’s match in the #RaceToPlayOffs add to the list?
Tune-in to #SRHvRCB at #IPLonStar
Today | Pre-show at 6:30 PM & LIVE action at 7:30 PM| Star Sports Network #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/SWlA8gT3d0

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 18, 2023

He further added, “To be honest, 18 started off as being just a number that was given to me when I first opened that India U-19 jersey with my name and number on the back. But it ended up becoming a very very important number in my life. I made my India debut on August 18. My father also died on December 18, 2006. Two of the most significant moments of my life happened to be on the 18th. Even though I got the number before that, there seems to be a cosmic connection with this date.”

Should Virat Kohli’s No 18 Jersey Retired like MS Dhoni and Sachin?

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials to retire jersey numbers 18 and 45. After winning the T20 World Cup 2024, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma chose to retire from T20I cricket. This decision by Kohli and Sharma led Raina to request the BCCI to retire their jersey numbers. He said on Jio Cinema, “I request the BCCI to retire jerseys No.18 and No.45. They need to have a special occasion where they keep these jersey numbers in their office. The number 7 is already retired, they should do the same for 18 and 45. Every person who sees the number should get motivated. The numbers 18 and 45 have won India games from so many situations that whichever player comes into the team, they should feel motivated by just looking at these numbers,”

 

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Other Cricketers Who Wore Jersey Number 18

Virat Kohli isn’t the only cricketer who wears jersey number 18. Here are some other players who have also worn this number:

Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana, the opener for the Indian women’s team, didn’t choose the number 18 on purpose. She originally wanted the number 7, but since it wasn’t available, the BCCI gave her number 18.

 

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Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis, a batter from South Africa, also used to wear jersey number 18 for their national team before his retirement. He chose this number because he debuted in international cricket on 18 January 2011. He has worn this number throughout his career. But when he plays for RCB he wears number 13.

 

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Trent Boult

New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult, who has played for IPL teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and now represents Mumbai Indians, started with jersey number 8. He changed to number 18 seven years ago.

the greatest ever to wear no.18 jersey in cricket history, Trent Boult https://t.co/F8CNoIOYCU pic.twitter.com/AyL5AhvLJO

— RK (@MahiGOAT07) May 26, 2023

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