When you think of modern cricket heroes, Virat Kohli’s name pops into your mind. Often referred to as “King Kohli,” the former Indian captain is recognized for his aggression on the cricket field, incredible fitness, and passion for the game. But beyond the centuries and the records, there is one aspect of Kohli’s career that instantly stands out for fans – Virat Kohli jersey number 18.
So why is it significant? How did Virat Kohli’s name become synonymous with jersey number 18? Let us explore the deeply personal and emotional connections and coincidences behind jersey number 18, and how long it has been associated with the great player.
What is the Virat Kohli Jersey Number?
The jersey number worn by Virat Kohli is 18. He has worn this number for the Indian cricket team, in all formats (Test, ODI, T20I) and he also wears the number 18 jersey for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
This number is so iconic now that whenever cricket fans around the world see the number 18, they immediately think of Virat Kohli, as they would think of Sachin Tendulkar with the number 10 or MS Dhoni with the number 7. The number 18 is not just a number on his back, the number represents his identity, history, and the emotional roller coaster he has been through to become one of the greatest batsmen for cricket.
How Virat Kohli got the Jersey Number 18
While some cricketers have a specific connection with their jersey numbers, Kohli’s connection with the number 18 evolved in a simplistic style. When he received his first India Under-19 jersey, it simply had the number 18 on it. At the time, it was just a number on a jersey – nothing more and nothing special.
However, fate would have it, that random number on a jersey would turn out to be one of the most important things in his life. So, the initial jersey number turned into a number representing hope, respect, and destiny.
The Emotional Side of Virat Kohli Jersey No 18
For Virat Kohli, No. 18 is deeply personal, as his father died on December 18, 2006, and Kohli debuted for India on August 18, 2008. These are the two biggest moments in his life – one a terrible loss, the other a brand new start. At just 18 years of age, Kohli faced personal tragedy and internalized it positively and emerged from it a stronger person, redirecting his grief into his cricketing destiny. Kohli could have stopped playing cricket with the loss of his father and ended his cricketing career right there. However, it provided even more determination for Kohli to keep going. No. 18 was his way of keeping his dad with him, a way of remembering where he came from and what he was playing for. As Kohli reflected: “To be honest, 18 started as being just a number that was given to me when I opened up that India U19 jersey with my name, and 18 on the back. But it ended up becoming a very very important number in my life… Two of the most significant moments of my life happened to be on the 18th. There seems to be a cosmic connection with this date.”
Why Jersey Number 18 is Fortunate for Virat Kohli
Adding to the intrigue is a chain of coincidences surrounding the number. Kohli believes that wearing the number 18 jersey signified his ascent to success in life. He has donned this particular number ever since he played at state and under-19 levels, with it following him into ODIs, T20s, and Test matches throughout his career. It’s the number that has seen:
- His ascendance from youthful promise to leadership of India
- His journey into one of the best batsman of all-time
- His ability to create magic in match-winning innings across all formats
- His growth as a leader and figurehead within the community
Many fans and cricket pundits are often aware that pivotal moments of his career often seem to revolve around this number. In their words, this may even seem to be destiny rather than coincidence.
Virat Kohli’s Journey with Jersey Number 18
Early Days: Transition from Number 5 to Number 18
Interestingly, in the early days of the IPL (2008, 2009, 2010), Kohli used to wear number 5. After the 2011 Mega Auction, Kohli was retained. He started wearing “Number 18” for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and there was no looking back for “King Kohli.”
Record Breaking Success of Virat Kohli Jersey Number
Virat Kohli Jersey Number 18 has achieved incredible milestones:
- Test Cricket: Kohli has been impenetrable in Test cricket. He has scored beautiful hundreds the world over and led India to historic victories.
- ODI: Kohli has chased down impossible targets, scored 50 ODI centuries (only behind Sachin Tendulkar), and averaged above 50 – testifying consistency.
- T20: In T20 cricket and especially IPL cricket, Kohli has been a run machine. He is the leading run scorer in IPL history, with 8004 runs in 252 matches.
- Captaincy Era: As captain, Kohli transformed team India into one of the most aggressive and successful teams in world cricket. He led India to become a dominant force across all formats.
Outside of cricket: Number 18 in Kohli’s life
He even had custom license plates made for his cars with number 18, which exemplifies how attached he is to the number. The number is no longer solely about cricket; it has become a part of his identity.
For Kohli, wearing the jersey is not just fabric with a number; it has personal legend status, as a tribute to his late father, but also serves as a reminder of Kohli’s transition from heart-broken teenager to cricket’s modern icon.
Appreciation for Virat Kohli Jersey Number 18
In any cricket stadium where India plays, there are thousands of fans decked out in identical kits emblazoned with “18 Kohli” on the back. It is one of the world’s best-selling cricket jerseys. Young children playing cricket in the street or adults attending the game all want to wear the iconic jersey number 18.
A cricket jersey signifies something more than just some overwhelming fandom – it is a manifestation of passion, dedication, and the mental strength in believing that hard work and tenacity can get you through anything – and that is the Virat Kohli story – and this is why the jersey number 18 is so powerful.
Final Reflections
The Virat Kohli jersey number 18 is not merely an arbitrary or lucky choice; it is a significant and personal icon which stands for loss, love, destiny and triumph. Kohli was given this number as a teenager, and ultimately his number 18 jersey became one of the most famous cricket jersey numbers in history, all thanks to him lavishing his number with important meaning that extends well beyond the sport.
Every time Kohli steps onto the field wearing 18, millions are inspired by the number. Each appearance of the number reminds us: behind every remarkable success story there are pain, sacrifice, and stalwart determination. The number 18 jersey is symbolic of a modern era in Indian cricket and the story of one man.
Whether it is about scoring a century in a tightly contested chase or leading his team to victory, Kohli’s experience, reflected in the 18 on his back, connects with millions as it illustrates lessons on perseverance, passion and the larger-than-life connection between a man and his destiny.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What jersey number does Virat Kohli wear?
Ans: Virat Kohli wears number 18 for Team India in all formats, and he wears number 18 for Team Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
2. What is the significance of number 18 to Virat Kohli?
Ans: Number 18 is of significance because Virat Kohli’s father passed away on December 18, 2006, and Virat Kohli made his debut for India on August 18, 2008. The dates brought a ‘cosmic connection’.
3. What number did Virat Kohli wear before 18 in the IPL?
Ans: Virat Kohli wore number 5 when the IPL started in 2008, and wore number 5 until 2010, and then changed to number 18 in 2011.
4. Does Virat Kohli wear number 18 for anything other than cricket?
Ans: Yes, he even had special number plates for his cars with the number 18 and so he must feel that number means something personally.
