Virat Kohli Jersey Number: The legacy of India’s iconic No. 18

Virat Kohli pictures download When we talk about cricket in India, the sight of Virat Kohli running down the wicket, in his blue jersey studded with the number 18 will get registered in the mind of millions. The Virat Kohli Jersey Number has become iconic over the years. But why number 18? Why is this number special, and will anyone else ever don it for India in a Test cricket. To see more moments like these, visit cricketliveipl.com. So, in this article, we are going to look at what it means to players and fans to give out this number shirt, also the story in it.

Quick Facts About Virat Kohli and His Jersey Number

How Virat Kohli Picked The Jersey Number 18?

The tale involving Kohli jersey number is a poignant and powerful one. Virat’s father died on December 18, 2006, an incident that changed his life. He still played a Ranji match, the next day itself, even post tragedy and made a magnificent 90. From that moment on, 18 was an homage to his father and the strength he drew from that experience.

The 18th I lost my biggest support system. That number got stuck to me,” Kohli had said in an chat interview.

Virat Kohli Jersey Number Across Formats

Virat Kohli has always donned jersey number 18 in Test as well, ODI, T20 of the game.

• ODIs: Since his debut in 2008
• T20Is: 2010 till his retirement in 2024
• Tests: To May 2025, when he retired from Tests

It’s to the point where he feels a connection to the number and to himself as a player.

Is Virat Kohli Jersey Number Retired?

Jersey numbers are not officially retired in India. But there’s an unwritten code here or wherever it is, out of respect. For example:

• No one has taken MS Dhoni’s No. 7 jersey after his retirement
• Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 will unofficially be retired following backlash when Shardul Thakur once wore it

Similarly, no Indian Test cricketer has used the jersey number 18 after Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025.

Though it was Bengali pacer Mukesh Kumar who was seen wearing the jersey for India A, please note, A team jerseys don’t have fixed numbers.

The Legacy of No. 18

• Merchandise: After Tendulkar’s 10, 18 is most selling jersey number.
• Fan Symbolism: It has come to represent aggression, determination and excellence for 10s of millions
• Global appeal: The number is popular not just in India, but also among fans abroad, who associate it with the captain.

Indian Team Playing 11 on Jersey Number 18

As of latest data released by BCCI and ICC:

• The only big name to have used the jersey number 18 for a significant amount of time is Virat Kohli.
• Others, like Rishabh Pant again wears boasts of a different number (Pant wears 17)
• There is no player who will take over the No 18 soon in India’s main squad.

Comparison With Other Iconic Numbers

Future of Virat Kohli Jersey Number

While there is no specific concept of jersey retirement in the Indian cricket set-up, Virat Kohli jersey number 18 will continue to be out of bounds due to sacredness and awe. The number has jumped off the page; it is a franchise, a feeling, a texture of self-belief.

Conclusion

The myth of Virat Kohli’s number 18 is a fascinating tale of personal tragedy, nationalistic duty quality, and rare quality. Even after Kohli retires from Tests and quite possibly ends his international career in the not-too-distant future, his jersey number would undoubtedly continue as one of the most iconic in the history of the game. Retired or not, No. 18 will always be owned by the King of contemporary cricket.

Virat Kohli Jersey Number FAQs