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The cricketing world was recently stirred when pacer Mukesh Kumar wore jersey No. 18—famously associated with Virat Kohli—during India A's match against the England Lions at Canterbury. The sight of Kohli's number on another player led to widespread outrage among fans on social media, with many calling it a mark of "disrespect" to the recently retired Test legend. In response to the uproar, the BCCI has finally spoken out, clarifying the situation and addressing questions on whether Kohli's iconic number will be retired.
The Incident That Triggered Fan Outrage:
During India A's first four-day unofficial Test, Mukesh Kumar donned the No. 18 jersey while delivering a fiery spell, claiming three key wickets and helping India A recover from a dominant England Lions partnership. Despite his performance, it was his jersey number that dominated headlines and online conversations. Fans, still emotional after Kohli's sudden retirement from Test cricket, were not pleased to see his number reused so soon.
BCCI Explains Jersey Number Policy for India A:
To quell the controversy, a senior BCCI official clarified that in India a matches, players are allowed to wear any jersey number since these jerseys do not feature names and are not bound by international standards. "Jersey numbers are only sacrosanct for international matches," the official explained to PTI. This means Mukesh's use of the No. 18 jersey had no formal or symbolic significance.
If selected for the ongoing Test series against England, Mukesh will return to wearing No. 49—the number assigned to him during his debut in the West Indies. The official added, "Anyone can pick any random number for India a games."
Will Kohli's Jersey Be Retired like Dhoni's and Sachin's?
The larger question of whether Virat Kohli's No. 18 will be officially retired remains unclear. In Indian cricket, there is no formal protocol to retire jersey numbers. However, precedent exists. Sachin Tendulkar's No. 10 and MS Dhoni's No. 7 have effectively been taken out of circulation
Post-retirement. The sentiment is strong, and unofficially, no player has dared take up those legacy numbers since.
Kohli, still active in ODIs and T20Is, remains an influential figure. While BCCI has not confirmed the retirement of his number, it's "understood" that no new Test player will be assigned No. 18 out of sheer respect and emotional weight the number now carries.
Legacy Numbers: A Matter of Emotion, Not Regulation
This incident highlights the significant emotional and symbolic significance of cricket jersey numbers, even though they are merely identifiers. Mukesh Kumar's case is a reminder that while the rules may permit it, the sentiments of fans often speak louder. As Kohli's No. 18 joins the ranks of legendary numbers, it's becoming increasingly clear that its legacy may be too sacred to pass on.
