Why does Virat Kohli wear jersey No. 18? Here's the reason
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Virat Kohli has been donning the No. 18 jersey since the start of his Indian career.
The legendary Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, is more than just a cricketing genius. Kohli has been an inspiration for generations, motivating not only young cricketers but also many youngsters with his determination and grit.
For over a decade and a half since his debut in international cricket for India, the No. 18 has been synonymous with modern-day greatness in world cricket.
The iconic jersey number has witnessed Kohli’s greatness around the globe and is worn by millions of fans who consider it a sign of relentless passion, as seen in the Indian batting maestro.
Though this has been speculated for a long time, No. ‘18’ holds some special significance for Kohli; the Indian cricketer has finally revealed his true bond with No. 18. While doing so, Kohli has described it as a cosmic connection rather than merely statistical significance.
Recently, in an interview with Star Sports, Kohli spoke about how significant No. 18 is to him and how it evolved into a spiritual connection.
He said: “18, it started off just being a number. My debut game for India was on the 18th of August. There has to be a cosmic connection with this number. When we are going to games, I see so many people wearing my jersey number and my name, and this is such a great opportunity God has given you, and you feel truly blessed.”
‘18’: Tale of an endless legacy in modern cricket
The date of August 18, 2008, indeed marked the beginning of an era that no one knew could change the dynamics of modern-day cricket. This was the first time a young Virat Kohli walked out in Dambulla, donning that blue shirt, holding the willow.
On an emotional front, just months after his domestic debut, on 18th December 2006, Kohli’s father, Prem Kohli, passed away. However, an example of mental strength was seen when Kohli made a magnificent comeback for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match the very next day.
More than a decade has passed since then, with fans flocking to the stadium in large numbers clad in blue and red (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), with No. 18 shining brightly on their backs.
The No. 18 witnessed the historic rise of an ordinary Delhi boy into a global sports icon, remembered and cherished over generations. Kohli views the glory of his jersey number with profound gratitude, considering it a privilege to inspire millions every time he steps onto the field.
Virat has now retired from two formats of international cricket, Tests and T20Is; however, he remains one of India’s most decorated run-scorers in the two formats.
With him still up and running in ODIs, Kohli is most likely to set a benchmark in the 50-over format, especially after he surpassed the former record held by Sachin Tendulkar with fifty centuries in one-day cricket.
At the twilight of his glorious career, Kohli will also step into the 20th year of his international career in 2027, when he is likely to feature in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which might be the last time the modern-day batting legend is seen in the Blues.
Why does Virat Kohli wear jersey No. 18?
He said: “18, it started off just being a number. My debut game for India was on the 18th of August. There has to be a cosmic connection with this number.
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Ankitjit Singh is a dedicated sports journalist whose childhood dream was to play cricket—now, he serves the game through his work. With over three years of experience in reporting, writing, and editing, he brings deep insight to his coverage. A journalism graduate from Delhi University, Ankitjit’s passion for cricket took root during his college days and continues to drive his career.