Virat Kohli’s Jersey No: In sports, a number on your back is far more than just an identifier — it’s a symbol, a brand, usually even a legacy. For cricket enthusiasts all around, the number 18 on blue Indian jersey is now synonymous with one name – Virat Kohli. His uncompromising batting, determination and consistency have made him a player of all time but the reason behind his jersey number has a lot to say about him. Unlike many players who choose numbers for superstition or simply out of personal preference, Kohli’s decision is a poignant tribute, a permanent reminder of a grief that continues to shape his career and his character. In this piece, we dive deep into the relationship shared by Virat Kohli and the number ’18’ and take you through its craze behind the man, journey to becoming a symbol of superiority overalls and looking back to what it is going to leave us in history.
The Origin Story: A Son’s Tribute
The Pillar of Support: Father Prem Kohli
To appreciate the weight of the number 18, you need to jump back in time to Dec. 18, 2006. An 18-year-old, highly promising Virat Kohli was plying his trade for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Off the cricket field, his father, Prem Kohli, a hard-pushing lawyer, was also losing his battle with a stroke. Through it all, Virat’s father was his strongest advocate and taught him the discipline and dedication that would prove to be his signature.
Unfortunately, Prem Kohli died during the course of that match. “But there was little Virat Kohli with a chin music moustache that he wouldn’t shave make the most courageous decision of his career so early. He was back playing the following day, however; reaching 90 when almost none of his team-mates could get started and Australia were able to scrape a draw. This was not an act of disinterest, but of great honor and commitment: a son playing out his father’s wishes for him.
The Adoption of No. 18
Virat Kohli wore many numbers when he first made inroads into the international scene. When he established himself in the team, though, he opted to permanently keep the number 18. The reason is heart wrenching: it corresponds to the age he was when his father died (18) and the day of his father’s death (18th of December). In wearing this number, Kohli takes a part of his father out on to the field with him each time he goes to bat. It is his quiet homage, an inspiration, a touchstone of the sacrifices that helped him achieve from where he comes.
The Evolution: From Personal Tribute to a Symbol of Greatness
From a personal tribute it became, whizzing past the gate of history about twenty years ago, as emblem for cricket’s glory. As Kohli’s career soared, the number 18 was fast making itself into household name. It was no longer a number at all; it was instead the monogram of the top batsman on earth.
The Brand Value of Virat Kohli18
His name and number were a brand together, a company on one chest. You see it on the jerseys of millions of fans, posters and video games. A jersey with the number 18 is something aspiring cricketers pull on to help them summon the intensity, passion and work ethic of their hero. It reflected a level of fitness, an appetite for runs and an absolute will to win. The number has become embedded in cricketing identity, like Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 or MS Dhoni’s No. 7.
A Number Worn with Pride Across Formats
Not an opportunist, who changes numbers due to numerology or format reasons- Virat Kohli has stuck to the number 18 in:
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
IPL (Indian Premier League) for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
That ordinariness only serves to enhance the connection, establishing it as uniquely his across the cricket world.
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Number 18 in Broader Canvas of Cricket as a Religion
Misbah-ul-Haq wore No 22 in the Pakistan colours and retired as one of the country’s modern greats. Hype-steria Putting Kohli’s number 18 in perspective By P C VIJAY Every number has a story, every player with a lifetime to tell: more so an icon like Virat Kohli.
A Contrast to Other Iconic Numbers
The table below is a comparison of Kohli’s number 18 stands alongside other legendary numbers in Indian cricket:
| Jersey Number | Player | Significance and Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| No. 10 | Sachin Tendulkar | The “God of Cricket.” The number became synonymous with records, longevity, and the hopes of a billion people. Retired alongside him. |
| No. 7 | MS Dhoni | The “Captain Cool.” Represented calmness, tactical genius, and finishing prowess. Iconic due to the 2011 World Cup-winning six. |
| No. 18 | Virat Kohli | The “Modern Master.” Symbolizes aggression, supreme fitness, chasing mastery, and a tribute to his father. A legacy of relentless pursuit of excellence. |
| No. 12 | Yuvraj Singh | The “Prince of Indian Cricket.” Remembered for his flamboyance and the six sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup. A fighter’s number. |
| No. 99 | Ravindra Jadeja | Unique and instantly recognizable. Reflects his all-round, rockstar persona on the field. |
As the table shows, while Tendulkar’s 10 and Dhoni’s 7 are legends of the past era, Kohli’s 18 is the defining number of the current generation.
The Future Legacy of the Number 18
A question that will undoubtedly trouble the cricket lovers: after Virat Kohli, who is next at number 18?
Will it be Retired?
It is common in sports such as football and basketball for franchises to “retire” a jersey number, so no future player on that team can be given that number. It is not so codified in cricket. No, BCCI has not retired any jersey number ever.
But with a giant in the game and the personal story behind it, it’s probably as good as retired (unofficially) for Joe Root. This would be a great show of respect and the reality that no one is oblivious to – number is irrevocably tied with Kohli’s legacy and personal journey. Indeed any younger player handed the number 18 shirt would be under enormous pressure, always in the shadow of the great man.
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An Inspiration for Generations
Whether they can carry the torch, 18 will be good enough. It will always be to known as the number one of the best ever to have wielded a bat in the game. It is a lesson that behind the glitz and sparkle of international sport, thrives human emotion, perseverance and memory.
Conclusion
The story woven into Virat Kohli’s No. 18 jersey number is a compelling one of modern cricket once again. It’s more than a number, it’s an epic love story combining loss, dedication and uncharted territory. An epic that profoundly celebrates the love between a father and his son, and the realization of true greatness when we dare to dream as our hearts lead us. Here you have a story of Kohli adding one more golden chapter to his career that the 18 at the back in his jersey is not only an identity, it has become a tale – Tale of determination and A promise fulfilled. Even when he is long retired, that number will live on as an eternal symbol of one of cricket’s most enduring legacies.
FAQs About Virat Kohli Jersey Number
Q. How did Virat Kohli get jersey no 18?
A. Virat Kohli took 18 as his jersey number to pay tribute to his father, Prem Kohli. His father died on 18 December, 2006 when he was 18 years old.
Q. Does Virat Kohli have the lucky jersey No 18 in all 3 formats?
A. Yes, Virat Kohli dons the number 18 across all three formats (ODIs/ T20Is) and also for his IPL team – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Players do not carry numbers on their jerseys in Test cricket.
Q. What was the jersey number of Virat Kohli before 18?
A. In his initial days, Kohli wore other numbers – such as 12 and 23 – before he became a permanent member of the Indian team with 18.
Q. Will the BCCI retire jersey no. 18 after Virat Kohli retires?
A. BCCI currently does not have any policy of retiring jersey numbers but due to Kohli’s personal charisma and his contribution to Indian cricket, there is a chance that number 18 will be retired as a mark of respect for everything that he has done for Team India. It would be a beautiful homage.
Q. Have any other cricketers worn the number 18 jersey for India?
A. Yes, other players have worn it before or in other code straps, however none have made the presentation as iconic as Virat Kohli. That number is now overwhelmingly associated with him.”
Q. What do other popular jersey numbers means for Indian cricket?
A. 10 (Sachin Tendulkar) The most iconic number and the greatest batsman of his era is behind it.
7 (MS Dhoni): Represents captaincy, composure and finishing skills.
99 (Ravindra Jadeja) A unique number which indicates his dynamic all-round capabilities.
