Mukesh Kumar dons Virat Kohli's iconic No. 18 jersey vs England Lions, sparks outrage
India A pacer, Mukesh Kumar, took the field in Canterbury wearing the No. 18 jersey during the ongoing unofficial Test against the England Lions - a number long associated with former India captain Virat Kohli. The incident has triggered strong reactions from fans, coming just weeks after Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on 12 May.Kohli made the jersey number 18 almost inseparable from himself by wearing it throughout his red-ball career. He scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests and led India in 68 matches, establishing himself as one of the finest batters of his generation. The former Indian captain described his sudden retirement as a difficult but necessary decision, bringing the curtain down on a golden era.advertisementSo when Mukesh walked out wearing the same number during the first unofficial Test, fans were quick to express their displeasure on social media. Several posts criticised the move, with some demanding that the BCCI retire the jersey in honour of Kohli, similar to the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar's No. 10.
"Mukesh Kumar wearing our Virat Kohli's number 18 jersey. How dare he? What is his Instagram?" read one widely shared post on X, reflecting the sentiment among Kohli's passionate supporters.It's an honour for Mukesh Kumar to wear Jersey number 18 just like Virat Kohli.After all both are run machines. ???????? https://t.co/oHIPpI4LE6— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) May 31, 2025Mukesh Kumar wearing our Virat Kohli's 18 number jersey.How dare he? What is his instagram? pic.twitter.com/zMIli0gtcf— jataayu (@WoKyaHotaHai) May 31, 2025Mukesh has typically worn No. 49 in previous appearances. It remains unclear whether the jersey switch was intentional or an administrative oversight. The BCCI has not officially responded, and there has been no word on whether Kohli's number will be retired across formats.advertisementMeanwhile, Mukesh made his presence felt with the ball.Mukesh took three wickets to help India A stage a strong comeback, despite Max Holden's eighth first-class hundred, with England Lions stumbling to 333 for five at lunch on the penultimate day of the four-day unofficial Test on Sunday.Overnight centurion Tom Haines (142 off 208 balls) remained at the crease, accompanied by Dan Mousley (2) at the break. The Lions now trail by 224 runs.While Mukesh's bowling effort drew praise, the jersey issue continues to dominate conversation online. With emotions still raw following Kohli's Test retirement, the number 18 remains more than just a shirt - for many, it represents an era of Indian cricket they're not ready to let go of.
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