The numbers on India’s cricket jerseys have become instrumental to modern cricket culture. Indian cricket team jersey numbers down the years have helped fans identify their favorite players without much difficulty on the field of play. Arguably the greatest batsmen of all time or one of its finest bowlers, numbers associated with the Indian cricket team often tell ‘autobiographical’ experiences.
In this article, we will get to know how Indian cricket cricketers got their jersey numbers and their importance, some of the most iconic players who have worn specific Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers in Indian team history, along with 10 players whose jerseys are now no longer used. If you are an ardent cricket fan, knowledge about the Indian cricket team Jersey numbers provides you with a better insight into the game and its heroes.
The History Of The Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers
Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers were not quite like what we see today. In Test cricket (which does not have a place-number on the back of their shirt), players didn’t use to play with numbers on their shirts before. Over time, however, as uniforms became coloured in the Limited Overs game’s usage of coloured kits was introduced, and it was usually only the colour of the shirt or jersey that changed; Baggy Caps (generally having a different design) remained standard and distinctive to a specific team with each player taking their number from one to forever throughout a career.
The shift began in the 1990s when world tournaments such as the Cricket World Cup started bringing colored kits into vogue. Additionally, the impact of global sports such as football and basketball has made Indian cricket team shirt numbers more popular among fans.
The BCCI officially introduced numbered jerseys in limited over formats. It has since been established as an ODI, T20 style in the Indian cricket team jersey numbers.
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Why Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers Matter
Indian cricket team jersey numbers are more significant than the simple digits on a shirt. A lot of players select their numbers based on:
- Birthdates
- Lucky numbers
- Religious beliefs
- Personal milestones
- Superstitions
For fans, the Indian cricket team jersey numbers symbolize iconic moments. For example, jersey numbers are remembered for historic centuries, match-winning spells, and unforgettable World Cup performances.
Famous Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers and Their Players
Here we have looked at some significant Indian cricket team jersey numbers: 10 (Sachin Tendulkar). The number is synonymous with the name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
1. Sachin Tendulkar – Jersey Number 10
Jersey number 10 was also sported by Sachin Tendulkar, one of cricket’s all-time best batsmen. His number 24 went on to become iconic in his 24-year international career. Tendulkar debuted in 1989 and would ultimately score 100 international centuries, still a record. There was so much focus on excellence, discipline, and consistency in the No 10 shirt.
He was instrumental in India’s victory at the 2011 ICC cricket World Cup, a dream come true for him. In 2013, after Tendulkar announced his retirement, the BCCI retired his jersey number in honour of his contribution to Indian cricket. Tendulkar was a source of inspiration to generations of cricketers with his technique and humility. Fans still wear number 10 jerseys in honor of him. Statistics aside, he will always be remembered as a man who epitomised commitment and sportsmanship in Indian cricket history.
2. MS Dhoni – Jersey Number 7
Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers: One of India’s most successful captains, MS Dhoni, wore the number 7 jersey for most part of his international career. A cool customer and a shrewd cricketing brain, Dhoni took India to three major ICC titles 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His No.7 shirt number became synonymous with leadership and composure under pressure. Dhoni, who was known for closing matches in style, a memorable six in the 2011 World Cup final, has been coy about his own plans.
The BCCI retired the number 7 jersey worn by him after he left international cricket in 2020 to honor his achievements. And, away from captaincy, Dhoni was a cut-throat behind the stumps and a brutal presence in his team’s middle order. His impact took Indian cricket to the world stage. Even after retiring, fans still see the jersey number seven as a representation of faith and a quality finisher.
3. Sourav Ganguly – Jersey Number 99
Sourav Ganguly, the “Prince of Kolkata,” used to wear jersey no 99 while playing. He is acknowledged for makingthe Indian cricket team a group of aggressive players, which was historically not the case, in the early 2000s. Ganguly, as captain, also encouraged young players like Sehwag, Yuvraj, and Harbhajan under him to prepare a good nucleus of players for the future. His captaincy on overseas tours, notably Australia and England, revolutionised the way India looked at international cricket.
Ganguly was a classy left-handed strokeplayer, strong square of the wicket on the off side. His fiery character and bold style of play saw him heavily linked with the number 99. He was also a big part of India’s run to the 2003 World Cup final. He later became a BCCI president after his retirement in 2008. As a player and administrator, Ganguly’s influence has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket, and his legacy remains intact.
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4. Rahul Dravid – Jersey Number 19
Rahul Dravid, also known as “The Wall,” has jersey number 19 for India. His excellent technique and patience made him one of the most reliable batsmen in world cricket. He played important knocks in tough overseas tours as India won milestone matches in Australia, England, and the West Indies. He had more than 13,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs.
Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers 19 was a reassuring and dependable jersey number. Dravid was also recognized for his fair play and humble nature. He stayed on, after his retirement in 2012, as an Indian coach and a mentor to young talents at the National Cricket Academy. He went on to coach the Indian team and helped them continue their dominance. His stint of no-nonsense cricket and results-oriented attitude makes him one of the most highly respected figures in Indian cricket.
5. Anil Kumble – No. 19
Anil Kumble is one of the greatest spin bowlers India has ever produced, and he also donned jersey number 19 in the numbered-jersey era. He is still India’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. Kumble’s most famous performance came in 1999, when he captured all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan (in Delhi). He was renowned for his resolution, famously bowling with a broken jaw in a Test match against the West Indies. He was a commanding captain on and off the field.
“It actually brought a lot of positivity in the team, and people used to relate it with discipline, hard work, and fighting spirit because of Kumble’s dignity,” he said. He later returned to the sport as a coach at one point, becoming the head coach of India, and pursued a career in cricket administration after he retired in 2008. Kumble’s fitness obsession and sharp tactical acumen were contagious to many next-generation spinners. He has left a match-winning legacy and is a role model for cricketers from all time periods.
6. Virender Sehwag – Jersey Number 44
Virender Sehwag, one of the most flamboyant batsmen in world cricket, also donned jersey number 44 for India. He was a pioneer of aggressive opening batting. Sehwag is one of the two batsmen – the other being Don Bradman- to score two triple centuries in Test cricket. His hand-eye coordination and aggressive approach made him a tormentor of bowlers around the world. The number 44 entered the game’s lexicon for a big-hitting, fast-scoring batsman.
Sehwag was a key member of the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian side. He transcended the demure opener by battering bowlers right from the off. He continued his involvement post-retirement in cricket commentary as well as mentoring young cricketers. The daredevil Virender Sehwag transformed Indian batting and influenced a generation of modern-day cricketers to adopt a carefree, confident approach.
7. Yuvraj Singh – Jersey Number 12
With jersey number 12 on his back, Yuvraj Singh remained one of India’s swashbuckling match-winners in limited-overs cricket. His half a dozen sixes in an over at the 2007 T20 World Cup is unforgettable. Yuvraj played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, where he was awarded the player of the tournament for his all-round performance. The number 12 became an emblem of courage after the cricket legend recovered from cancer and secured a comeback to international cricket.
Yuvraj was a hard-hitting middle-order batsman and more than a handy left-arm spinner. He also set similarly great standards through his athletic fielding. He retired in 2019 but still supported charitable causes through his foundation. The Fightback series: The Yuvraj Singh story rewinds around a decade or so, and this was the same man who challenged a devil called cancer.
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8. Harbhajan Singh Jersey Number 3
Harbhajan Singh or “Bhajji” had the ZN-3 printed on his jersey. He had been a core member of India’s spin attack in the early 2000s. He had a career-defining series in 2001 against Australia in Tests, when he grabbed 32 wickets and helped India register a famous come-from-behind victory. His ornery, combative nature became synonymous with jersey number 3.
Harbhajan was also a member of the team in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup winning squad as well. His fighting nature put him at the forefront of numerous matches under pressure. He later worked as a commentator and politician. His competitive nature and big-match temperament made him one of India’s greatest spinners.
9. Zaheer Khan – Jersey Number 34
Zaheer Khan (Zaheer Khan wore jersey number 34, and he was India’s premier pacer during the 2000s). He led the Indian pace attack with skill and understanding. Zaheer starred in India’s 2011 World Cup valor, where he was the joint highest wicket-taker in the competition. He made the number 34 jersey famous for disciplined swing and seam bowling.
He was always coming up with the goods in really big matches. Zaheer also acted as a mentor for some IPL franchises upon retiring in 2015, developing young fast bowlers. His willingness to learn and captain the bowling unit was a very important cog in India’s triumph. His contributions went a long way to building India’s image as an overseas team.
10. Gautam Gambhir – Jersey Number 5
Gautam Gambhir, who donned the number 5 jersey according to this post, relished playing his natural game at the top order. He starred with innings of match-winning quality in frenzied environments such as the 2007 T20 World Cup final and 2011 ODI World Cup final. Jersey number 5 took on the meaning of the big-match player.
Gambhir’s grit and tenacity made him one of India’s most dependable performers under pressure. He had also led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles. Gambhir switched over to public service after retirement from cricket in 2018 and continued to lend his voice for the promotion of sports. His penchant for producing when it mattered the most saw him in the company of India’s greatest.
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Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers (1–100)
| Jersey No. | Player / Status |
| 1 | KL Rahul |
| 2 | Not officially assigned |
| 3 | Harbhajan Singh |
| 4 | Virat Kohli (early career) |
| 5 | Gautam Gambhir |
| 6 | Ravindra Jadeja (early phase) |
| 7 | MS Dhoni (Retired) |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| 9 | Parthiv Patel |
| 10 | Sachin Tendulkar (Retired) |
| 11 | Mohammed Shami |
| 12 | Yuvraj Singh |
| 13 | Munaf Patel |
| 14 | Dinesh Karthik |
| 15 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| 16 | Not officially assigned |
| 17 | Rishabh Pant |
| 18 | Virat Kohli |
| 19 | Rahul Dravid |
| 20 | Not officially assigned |
| 21 | Kuldeep Yadav |
| 22 | Shreyas Iyer |
| 23 | Ishant Sharma |
| 24 | Manish Pandey |
| 25 | Cheteshwar Pujara |
| 26 | Not officially assigned |
| 27 | Ajinkya Rahane |
| 28 | Axar Patel |
| 29 | Varun Chakravarthy |
| 30 | Jasprit Bumrah (early phase) |
| 31 | Not officially assigned |
| 32 | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| 33 | Hardik Pandya |
| 34 | Zaheer Khan |
| 35 | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| 36 | Harshal Patel |
| 37 | Shikhar Dhawan |
| 38 | Not officially assigned |
| 39 | Not officially assigned |
| 40 | Navdeep Saini |
| 41 | Shardul Thakur |
| 42 | Shubman Gill |
| 43 | Not officially assigned |
| 44 | Virender Sehwag |
| 45 | Rohit Sharma |
| 46 | Not officially assigned |
| 47 | Not officially assigned |
| 48 | Washington Sundar |
| 49 | Not officially assigned |
| 50 | Ambati Rayudu |
| 51 | Wriddhiman Saha |
| 52 | Not officially assigned |
| 53 | Prithvi Shaw |
| 54 | Not officially assigned |
| 55 | Deepak Chahar |
| 56 | Not officially assigned |
| 57 | Not officially assigned |
| 58 | Not officially assigned |
| 59 | Not officially assigned |
| 60 | Not officially assigned |
| 61 | Not officially assigned |
| 62 | Not officially assigned |
| 63 | Not officially assigned |
| 64 | Not officially assigned |
| 65 | Not officially assigned |
| 66 | Not officially assigned |
| 67 | Not officially assigned |
| 68 | Not officially assigned |
| 69 | Mohammed Siraj |
| 70 | Not officially assigned |
| 71 | Not officially assigned |
| 72 | Not officially assigned |
| 73 | Not officially assigned |
| 74 | Not officially assigned |
| 75 | Not officially assigned |
| 76 | Not officially assigned |
| 77 | Shubman Gill |
| 78 | Not officially assigned |
| 79 | Not officially assigned |
| 80 | Not officially assigned |
| 81 | Not officially assigned |
| 82 | Not officially assigned |
| 83 | Jasprit Bumrah |
| 84 | Not officially assigned |
| 85 | Not officially assigned |
| 86 | Not officially assigned |
| 87 | Not officially assigned |
| 88 | Suresh Raina |
| 89 | Not officially assigned |
| 90 | Umesh Yadav |
| 91 | Not officially assigned |
| 92 | Not officially assigned |
| 93 | Kuldeep Sen |
| 94 | Not officially assigned |
| 95 | Not officially assigned |
| 96 | Not officially assigned |
| 97 | Not officially assigned |
| 98 | Not officially assigned |
| 99 | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| 100 | Not officially assigned |
Notes:
- Officially Retired Numbers: 7 (MS Dhoni) and 10 (Sachin Tendulkar).
- Some players have changed jersey numbers during their careers.
- Several numbers remain unused or have only been worn briefly.
How Players Choose Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers
India cricket jersey numbers are generally assigned at the time a player makes his debut on the international scheme. Availability is often checked before choosing.
These are the seven factors that determine the Indian cricket team jersey numbers:
- Numerology
- Personal preference
- Birth year
- Idol inspiration
Impact of Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers on Branding
Numbers on Indian cricket teams’ jerseys have an enormous impact on merchandise sales. Fans purchase jerseys with specific numbers to express their support for their preferred cricketers.
For example:
- Kohli fans are also seen wearing Number 18 jerseys.
- Jerseys with No. 45 are all over Rohit Sharma merchandise.
- Iconic number 7 jersey lives on despite Dhoni’s retirement.
- Indian cricket team jersey numbers have now become a part of player branding and endorsements.
Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers in Test Cricket
Numbers and names on jerseys were also added to Test cricket through the World Test Championship in 2019. 4. In the current era, the Indian cricket team jersey numbers were displayed even in whites. It was a historic departure from old cricket.
Controversies Around Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers
There have also been a few times when fans felt retired numbers were being disrespected. Number 10 was also retired following the retirement of Tendulkar, which created controversy when another cricketer wore it briefly. This episode has increased the fans’ emotional bonding withthe Indian cricket team jersey numbers.
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Conclusion About Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers
A jersey number in the Indian cricket team is much more than an identity. They are the stuff of history, emotions, accomplishments, and memories. From Sachin Tendulkar’s jersey number 10 to MS Dhoni’s lucky charm shirt, these Indian cricket team jersey numbers represent Indian cricket’s fascinating journey.
As new stars emerge, there will be new numbers in the Indian cricket team jersey to see their legend grow. Still, they’ll feel pretty special in the hearts of fans. The jersey numbers of the Indian cricket team may be just numbers and yet infact, they are history sewn into fabric.
FAQ – Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers
What are the Indian cricket team’s shirt numbers?
Indian Cricket Team Jersey numbers are distinctly printed on players’ jerseys to assist in their identification during a match. These numbers are applied primarily to ODI, T20, and now even Test cricket in the World Test Championship.
Who is responsible for allotting the Indian Cricket Team jersey numbers?
Jersey numbers are usually chosen by players and are usually based on personal preference or birth dates. The B.C.C.I withdraw the number if possible.
How many Indian Cricket Team jersey numbers are retired officially?
The following are the two Indian Cricket Team jersey numbers that have been retired to date:
(10) So I think “the 10 of Sachin Tendulkar.”
Jersey number 7 of MS Dhoni
Their iconic contributions were honored by retiring these numbers.
What is so special about jersey number 10 (cricket) in the Indian context?
The number 10 shirt is significant because it was worn by Sachin Tendulkar. This number was officially retired by the BCCI after his retirement, thus making it unusable for future players.
Why did MS Dhoni wore 7 number jersey?
MS Dhoni opted to wear jersey number 7 as he was born on the seventh day of the seventh month, that is July (07/07). Their hashtags have become iconic following his multiple ICC titles.
Do two football players have the same number?
No, you can’t have two people on the same team wearing the same jersey number in the same game. But if a number isn’t retired, multiple players from different eras can share the same one.
Can Indian Cricket Team jersey numbers be worn for Test cricket as well?
Yes. Players have been carrying jersey numbers in Test cricket since 2019 as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
What is Virat Kohli’s shirt number?
Virat Kohli’s jersey number is 18. He picked the number for his father’s memory.
What is Rohit Sharma’s wear number?
Rohit Sharma’s jersey number is 45. A name given to him by his mother and now closely associated with what he does.
How important are jersey numbers as branding?
Yes. Indian Cricket Team jersey numbers are crucial for donor branding and sales of merchandise. It is common for fans to purchase jerseys with their favorite player’s number on them.
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