Mukesh Kumar Dons Virat Kohli’s Iconic No. 18 Jersey vs England Lions, Sparks Outrage Among Fans

In a surprising turn of events during India A’s match against the England Lions, pacer Mukesh Kumar was seen donning the iconic No. 18 jersey—famously worn by Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli. The sight instantly caught the attention of fans and quickly escalated into a social media storm, with many expressing shock and discontent over what they viewed as a “disrespectful” move.

allaboutlaptop

Table of Contents

The Controversial Moment

The incident occurred during a four-day unofficial Test match between India A and the England Lions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Mukesh Kumar, who is part of the India A squad to maintain match fitness ahead of the Bangladesh Test series, walked out wearing a white Test jersey with the number 18 emblazoned on the back—an unmistakable number closely associated with Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers.

allaboutlaptop

Photos and videos of Mukesh wearing the jersey went viral within minutes, with fans demanding clarification from the BCCI.

Fans React Strongly

Virat Kohli’s No. 18 jersey is more than just a number—it has become synonymous with Indian cricket’s modern legacy. Since making his debut in 2008, Kohli has worn the number through some of the country’s most defining cricket moments. For fans, seeing someone else wear it—even in an unofficial match—was unthinkable.

allaboutlaptop

Twitter/X was flooded with reactions:

“Unacceptable! You don’t let anyone wear 18 while Kohli is still active,” wrote one user.

allaboutlaptop

“Is this a joke? That number should be retired when Kohli retires. Absolute disrespect!” tweeted another.

allaboutlaptop

Some fans speculated whether it was a logistical error or a miscommunication in jersey allotment, while others criticized the BCCI’s apparent oversight.

allaboutlaptop

BCCI Yet to Respond

As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued an official statement addressing the jersey number confusion. Sources within the India A team have indicated it may have been an administrative error, with player kits being misprinted or exchanged.

allaboutlaptop

However, given the immense sentiment tied to Kohli’s number, fans are calling for an immediate apology and clarification.

Not the First Time

While jersey numbers in Test cricket are relatively new (introduced in 2019 with names and numbers on whites), iconic numbers still carry great emotional weight. No. 10, previously worn by Sachin Tendulkar, was retired by the BCCI in limited-overs cricket after public uproar when Shardul Thakur briefly wore it.

allaboutlaptop

With Kohli still an active player and a towering figure in Indian cricket, the use of his number—regardless of the match level—has reignited debate over jersey number retirement policies in Indian cricket.

allaboutlaptop

What’s Next?

Whether this incident was a genuine mistake or something more symbolic, the strong fan backlash indicates how deep Virat Kohli’s influence runs in Indian cricket. It also raises questions about how the BCCI handles legacy numbers and whether a formal policy should be implemented to protect them.

As fans await an explanation, the message from the cricket community is loud and clear: No. 18 is sacred—and until Kohli hangs up his boots, it belongs to him and him alone.

allaboutlaptop

Mukesh Kumar Dons Virat Kohli’s Iconic No. 18 Jersey vs England Lions, Sparks Outrage Among Fans

The Controversial Moment

Fans React Strongly

BCCI Yet to Respond

Not the First Time

What’s Next?

Latest Posts

PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Crash Site a Day After Air India Disaster Claims 265 Lives

RT-PCR Test Mandatory for Ministers Before Meeting PM Amid COVID Surge: Sources

BBC Releases Sidhu Moose Wala Documentary on YouTube Despite Father’s Plea for Ban

Most Popular

PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Crash Site a Day After Air India Disaster Claims 265 Lives

Don't Miss

Arvind Kejriwal Dispatches Grant Plan for Dalit Understudies In the midst of Ambedkar Column