Virat Kohli has come back after a long break, and as always, he ruled the roost, surprised his fans, and left the Australia tour after the ODI leg of the India tour. After failing in the first two ODIs, Virat Kohli made headlines with his match-winning innings in the last ODI against Australia in Sydney.
Now, once again, the former Indian captain is in the headlines, but this time not because of his rare appearances or antics on the field, but because of his jersey number.
This powerful right-handed batsman has already retired from Test and T20I cricket. Kohli’s focus is now only on ODI cricket.
Rishabh Pant’s comeback goes viral as he wears Virat Kohli’s famous No. 18 jersey in Bengaluru
After his retirement, there was a demand to retire Virat Kohli’s iconic jersey number 18, but BCCI is silent on this matter. And now, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was seen with Kohli’s jersey number inked on his back.
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After a three-month break due to a leg injury, Rishabh Pant returned to competitive cricket in Bengaluru and led India A in the home series against South Africa A. But what caught everyone’s attention was not the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman’s play, but the number inscribed on his back.
Pant was seen with Virat Kohli’s iconic number. 18 jerseyDue to which there was a storm of reactions on social media. Fans immediately noticed the switch from his usual number 17 and started speculating whether Pant had officially taken over Kohli’s famous white jersey number.
Has Rishabh Pant changed his jersey number? pic.twitter.com/DOFfJg4DKz
– Ankur (@cricwithpant2) 30 October 2025
Fans urge BCCI to retire Virat Kohli’s number 18 jersey
Virat Kohli has left behind a legacy associated with that number. 18 jerseyIt is not just a number, but fans associate it with Kohli’s greatness, passion and leadership.
The match marks the start of two four-day matches for India A, which will serve as warm-up ahead of the senior team’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.
Since Kohli’s retirement, many fans have urged BCCI to retire the jersey number as a tribute, just like they honored Sachin Tendulkar’s number 10 and MS Dhoni’s number 7. Since BCCI has not taken any decision yet, this number is in circulation among Indian players.
Before Rishabh Pant, Mukesh Kumar wears jersey number 18 in India A match
Before coming to Pant’s number. 18 jerseyMukesh Kumar was seen wearing the number. 18 jersey During an unofficial test for India A against England Lions. As the pictures spread online, outrage spread across social media.
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Many furious fans saw it as a sign of disrespect towards Kohli, whose number 18 had become a symbol of passion, grit and dominance in Indian cricket for over a decade. Mukesh, who ranked 49th in the test, had to face massive hate messages and criticism.
No fixed number for India A matches: BCCI
Following the backlash, a senior BCCI official later clarified that India A players are free to wear any available jersey number during unofficial matches, and it does not affect their assigned number in international cricket. The same case applies to Pant, who is also playing for India A.
This officer had told PTI, “Mukesh has given no.18 during the opening ‘Test’ match versus the Lions. But when it comes to the India A team, there is no definite number as there are no names on the jerseys. One can choose any random number. Jersey numbers are sacred only for international games.
