In a moment that sent shockwaves across the Indian cricket fanbase, pacer Mukesh Kumar walked onto the field wearing jersey number 18 during the unofficial Test between India A and England Lions in Canterbury. The number, famously worn by Virat Kohli throughout his legendary career, holds deep emotional significance for fans and has become a symbol of his intensity, legacy, and passion for the game.
The sight of someone else donning the revered No. 18 triggered a wave of outrage on social media. With Kohli having recently stepped away from Test cricket, fans expected the number to be treated with more reverence, even demanding that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially retire it in his honour, just as it did for MS Dhoni’s No. 7 and Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10.
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To date, the BCCI hasn’t responded to the uproar or issued clarity on whether No. 18 will be formally retired in the Test format. However, with Kohli still active in ODIs and T20Is, the chances of immediate retirement of the number across formats remain slim.
The emotional attachment to No. 18 is not unfounded. Kohli has often spoken about the number’s significance in his life. He made his international debut on August 18 and also suffered the tragic loss of his father on December 18, 2006. Since then, No. 18 has been more than a jersey—it’s a tribute and a personal symbol of everything Kohli has battled through and achieved.
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For fans, seeing another player wear it so soon after Kohli’s Test retirement felt like a betrayal of that legacy. Whether BCCI responds or not, the message from fans is loud and clear: some numbers are sacred.
If they don’t retire no 18 jersey, it will be sheer disrespect to Kohli’s Stature and Career. These BCCI clowns deserve a downfall ASAP. Shame on BCCI 🤡. pic.twitter.com/LQtxoy7t2c
— Kaisar (@Kaisariscute) May 31, 2025
And it can’t be पनवाड़ी Mukesh
— Chinmay Naik (@starchinu) May 31, 2025
I don’t know why cricket team doesn’t do “Jersey Retirement” like NBA or MLB. It just makes sense to honor the legends of the game. 18, 10, 7 should be never worn again as sign of respect.
— Ash Cohle (@ashcohle) June 1, 2025
Why? Indian Cricket hasn’t retired that jersey number. And how is it a disrespect? Kohli’s identity is be his game and not by a number. Let anybody wear it. Nothing touches the legacy of Kohli.
— Gaurav Shukla (@GauravS28903J) June 1, 2025
How can it be a disrespect, even Shardul wore no.10 of Sachin’s. That time same fan base guys told it cannot be retired may be it’s his favourite and all , if you go on retiring every number there won’t be any numbers to wear in future after 20-30 years
— Vrmaneesha (@maneeshavr90362) June 1, 2025
Retire Jersey no. 18 from test cricket @BCCI
— Viratian (@Viratian1278919) May 31, 2025
Yah kaun hai kuposhit?
— आदित्य🇮🇳 (@Aditya4BMR) May 31, 2025
