Rishabh Pant Wears Virat Kohli's Iconic No. 18 Jersey on Comeback: Why It Sparked Debate

Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made headlines for more than just his much-awaited return to competitive cricket on Thursday, October 30. Leading India A against South Africa A in the first unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Pant surprised fans and sparked widespread social media debate by wearing the iconic No. 18 jersey—a number synonymous with Virat Kohli throughout his illustrious international career.

The Comeback After Three Months

Pant's return to the field marked the end of a three-month injury layoff after he fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July 2025. The injury forced him to miss India's triumphant Asia Cup 2025 campaign and the two-match home Test series against West Indies.

Walking out as captain of the India A side, Pant won the toss and elected to field first. By lunch, South Africa A had reached 108/1, with Jordan Hermann on 42 and Zubayr Hamza on 56. But while the action on the field unfolded, it was Pant's jersey that had cricket fans buzzing on social media.

Why the No. 18 Jersey? Rishabh Pant typically wears No. 17 for India—a number he's been associated with since his international debut. However, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence on Thursday, he was spotted wearing No. 18, the number worn by Virat Kohli throughout his 14-year Test career before his retirement in May 2025.

The sight immediately triggered speculation: Was Pant changing his jersey number permanently? Was this a tribute to Kohli? Or was it simply a random assignment?

BCCI's Clarification: No Fixed Numbers in India A Matches This isn't the first time a player has worn No. 18 since Kohli's retirement. In June 2025, fast bowler Mukesh Kumar was also spotted donning the number during an unofficial Test between India A and England Lions, which led to similar outrage on social media, with fans accusing him of disrespecting Kohli's legacy.

At the time, the BCCI issued a clarification that put the matter to rest:

"Mukesh wore No. 18 during the opening 'Test' match versus Lions. But when it comes to India A squad, there are no fixed numbers as jerseys don't have names. Anyone can pick any random number. The jersey numbers are only sacrosanct for international games," a BCCI official told PTI.

In essence, India A jerseys are not personalized—they don't carry player names, and numbers are assigned randomly or chosen by players without any significance. Unlike international matches, where jersey numbers are fixed and carry immense emotional and commercial weight, India A matches operate differently.

Should No. 18 Be Retired? The incident has reignited the debate about whether the BCCI should retire Virat Kohli's No. 18 jersey, similar to how they retired Sachin Tendulkar's No. 10 and MS Dhoni's No. 7 following their retirements from international cricket.

Kohli's No. 18 has become iconic over the years, representing one of the greatest batting careers in cricket history—13,906 Test runs, 30 centuries, and countless match-winning performances. Fans argue that the number deserves to be retired as a mark of respect for Kohli's unparalleled contributions to Indian cricket.

However, the BCCI has not made any official announcement regarding the retirement of Kohli's number. Unlike Tendulkar and Dhoni, who retired from all formats of cricket, Kohli remains active in ODIs and the IPL, which may be a factor in the board's decision-making.

Social Media Reactions

Twitter (now X) erupted with reactions after images of Pant wearing No. 18 went viral:

Tribute or coincidence? Some fans hailed it as a "beautiful tribute" to Kohli, interpreting it as Pant paying homage to his senior teammate and friend.

Jersey should be retired! Others expressed frustration, calling for the BCCI to officially retire No. 18 to prevent such incidents in the future.

Generational shift: A section of fans saw symbolic significance, viewing it as a passing of the torch from Kohli to Pant, two wicketkeeper-batters who have redefined Indian cricket in their respective eras.

No big deal: Meanwhile, many pointed to the BCCI's clarification, dismissing the controversy as much ado about nothing, given that India A numbers are not fixed.

Pant's Focus: Reclaiming His Test Spot Regardless of the jersey debate, Pant's primary objective in this two-match series against South Africa A is clear: regain match fitness, sharpen his skills behind the stumps, and stake his claim for a return to the senior India Test squad ahead of the two-match series against South Africa starting November 14 in Kolkata.

India A vice-captain Sai Sudharsan, who has worked closely with Pant during preparations, said the wicketkeeper-batter is looking "fitter" and is "raring to go."

With KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel competing for the wicketkeeper-batter spot in the senior side, Pant knows he needs strong performances in these unofficial Tests to remind selectors why he's considered one of the most exciting and impactful players in world cricket.

The Verdict

So, will Rishabh Pant wear No. 18 when he returns to international cricket? Almost certainly not. His No. 17 is firmly established as his identity in Indian cricket, and the BCCI's policy ensures that international jersey numbers remain sacrosanct.

Thursday's No. 18 jersey was simply a case of random assignment in an India A match—not a permanent change, not a tribute, and not a controversy. But it served as a reminder of Virat Kohli's enduring legacy and the reverence fans hold for the man who wore that number with such distinction for over a decade.