The cricketing world was abuzz with controversy during the first unofficial Test match between India A and England Lions in Canterbury, which took place from May 30 to June 2, 2025. The focal point of the uproar was Indian pacer Mukesh Kumar, who took the field wearing the iconic No. 18 jersey—a number synonymous with former Indian Test captain Virat Kohli. This move triggered a wave of outrage among fans, who felt it was disrespectful to Kohli’s legacy, especially since he had announced his retirement from Test cricket just weeks earlier on May 12, 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stepped in to address the controversy, providing clarity on why Mukesh Kumar donned the legendary jersey number. This article delves into the incident, the BCCI’s explanation, the fans’ reactions, and the broader implications for Indian cricket.
The Incident: Mukesh Kumar in No. 18
The first unofficial Test match at St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury was a preparatory game for India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England, set to begin on June 20, 2025. India A, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, featured a strong squad including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, and Mukesh Kumar, among others. The match was an opportunity for players to acclimatize to English conditions and stake a claim for a spot in the senior team. However, it was Mukesh Kumar’s choice of jersey number that stole the spotlight.
Mukesh, a 31-year-old fast bowler from Bengal who typically wears No. 49 in senior men’s games, was seen sporting the No. 18 jersey during India A’s bowling innings. This number has been inseparable from Virat Kohli, who wore it throughout his illustrious 14-year Test career, amassing 9,230 runs in 123 Tests and leading India in 68 matches. Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket left the No. 18 jersey vacant, but fans were unprepared to see it assigned to another player so soon, especially in a high-profile match.
Social media platforms, particularly X, erupted with posts expressing shock and anger. Fans labeled the move as disrespectful, with some demanding that the BCCI retire Kohli’s No. 18 jersey, similar to the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 and MS Dhoni’s No. 7. One widely shared post on X read, “Mukesh Kumar wearing our Virat Kohli’s 18 number jersey. How dare he? What is his Instagram?” Another user lamented, “Any sane board would retire the 18 jersey but not BCCI.” The backlash was intense, with fans accusing the BCCI of failing to honor Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket.
BCCI’s Explanation: No Fixed Numbers for India A
In response to the growing controversy, the BCCI issued a statement to clarify the situation. A senior BCCI official, quoted by news agency PTI, explained, “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.” This explanation highlighted a key distinction between India A matches and official international fixtures. Unlike senior team matches, where jersey numbers are personalized and carry significant emotional weight, India A games allow players to select any available number, as the jerseys do not bear player names.
The BCCI’s clarification aimed to quell the outrage by emphasizing that Mukesh’s use of No. 18 was not a deliberate attempt to claim Kohli’s legacy. Instead, it was a practical decision within the context of India A’s informal jersey allocation system. The official also noted that Mukesh would revert to his original No. 49 if he were to return to the senior Test squad, indicating that the No. 18 jersey was not permanently assigned to him. This temporary switch, however, did little to appease fans who felt that the BCCI should have been more sensitive to the emotional significance of the number.
Fan Sentiment and the Legacy of Jersey Numbers
The outrage over Mukesh Kumar’s jersey choice underscores the deep emotional connection that Indian cricket fans have with their heroes. Virat Kohli’s No. 18 is more than just a number; it represents his fighting spirit, aggressive mindset, and unparalleled contributions to Indian cricket. Kohli, widely regarded as one of India’s greatest Test captains, led the team to historic victories, including series wins in Australia and England. His 9,230 Test runs and 29 centuries cemented his status as a modern-day legend, making the No. 18 jersey a symbol of his legacy.
The fans’ demand to retire Kohli’s jersey is not without precedent. The BCCI has previously retired Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 and MS Dhoni’s No. 7 in recognition of their monumental contributions to Indian cricket. Fans argued that Kohli, who remains active in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and is set to play in the IPL 2025 final for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), deserves similar respect. However, the BCCI has not yet confirmed whether Kohli’s No. 18 will be retired, especially since he continues to play in other formats. The board’s hesitation may stem from the fact that retiring a jersey number across all formats is a rare and significant decision.
This incident is not the first time a jersey number has sparked controversy. In 2017, Shardul Thakur faced similar backlash when he wore Tendulkar’s No. 10 in an ODI match against Sri Lanka. The outrage was so intense that Thakur promptly changed his number to avoid further criticism. Mukesh Kumar’s situation, however, is complicated by the fact that Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket is recent, and the emotional wounds of his departure are still fresh for fans.
Mukesh Kumar’s Performance Amid the Controversy
Despite the off-field drama, Mukesh Kumar made a significant impact on the field during the India A vs England Lions match. On Day 3, with England Lions cruising at 237/2, Mukesh delivered a fiery spell, taking three wickets in four overs to trigger a mini-collapse. He dismissed centurion Max Holden (101), Lions’ captain James Rew (8), and Rehan Ahmed (3), finishing with figures of 3/56 by lunch. His performance helped India A stage a comeback, with England Lions reaching 333/5, trailing by 224 runs. Mukesh’s ability to bowl with venom and accuracy showcased his potential as a key player for India A and possibly the senior team in the future.
Mukesh, who has played three Tests, six ODIs, and 17 T20Is for India, is no stranger to the international stage. His performance in Canterbury strengthened his case for a recall to the Test squad, especially with India’s pace attack facing injury concerns ahead of the England series. However, the jersey controversy overshadowed his on-field heroics, drawing attention away from his contributions to the team.
The Broader Context: India’s Transition in Test Cricket
The India A vs England Lions series is part of India’s preparations for a crucial five-match Test series against England. With Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, and Ravichandran Ashwin also stepping away, Indian cricket is undergoing a significant generational shift. Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are being groomed to fill the void left by these stalwarts. The unofficial Test provided a platform for these players to prove their mettle, with Karun Nair’s double century and Sarfaraz Khan’s half-century highlighting India A’s batting depth.
Mukesh Kumar’s jersey controversy, while a distraction, also reflects the intense scrutiny that Indian cricket faces during periods of transition. Fans are protective of their heroes’ legacies, and any perceived slight—intentional or not—can spark widespread debate. The BCCI’s explanation that jersey numbers are not fixed for India A matches may be factually accurate, but it does little to address the emotional weight that fans attach to numbers like No. 18.
Will Kohli’s No. 18 Be Retired?
The debate over whether Kohli’s No. 18 should be retired remains unresolved. While Tendulkar’s No. 10 and Dhoni’s No. 7 have been retired, Kohli’s continued participation in ODIs complicates the decision. Retiring a jersey number across all formats is a rare honor, typically reserved for players who have retired from all forms of international cricket. The BCCI may choose to retire No. 18 in Test cricket alone, but no official statement has been issued as of June 2, 2025.
In the meantime, the controversy has highlighted the need for clearer guidelines on jersey number allocation, especially for India A matches. The BCCI could consider implementing a system to avoid assigning iconic numbers like No. 18 to other players, at least in the immediate aftermath of a legend’s retirement. Such a move would demonstrate sensitivity to fans’ sentiments and respect for players’ legacies.
In Summary
Mukesh Kumar’s decision to wear Virat Kohli’s No. 18 jersey during the India A vs England Lions match was a flashpoint for fans still grappling with Kohli’s Test retirement. The BCCI’s explanation that India A jerseys do not have fixed numbers provides context but has not fully satisfied fans who view No. 18 as a symbol of Kohli’s greatness. As Indian cricket navigates a transitional phase, incidents like these underscore the deep emotional connection between players, fans, and the symbols that define their heroes. Mukesh Kumar’s on-field performance showed his potential, but the jersey controversy serves as a reminder of the challenges of balancing tradition, legacy, and progress in Indian cricket.
