India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a much-awaited return to competitive cricket on Thursday after a three-month injury layoff, featuring in the India A home series against South Africa A at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence ground.
Pant, captaining the India A side, led his team in the first of two four-day matches scheduled ahead of India’s upcoming two-Test series against South Africa next month.
However, what truly caught everyone’s attention was not just Pant’s comeback—but the jersey he wore.
Pant Sparks Buzz Wearing Kohli’s No. 18 Jersey
Social media went into overdrive after fans noticed Pant donning Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 18 jersey—a number deeply associated with the modern batting legend who retired from Test cricket in May 2025.
After Kohli’s retirement, fans across the world urged the BCCI to retire his jersey number, similar to how the board honored Sachin Tendulkar (No. 10) and MS Dhoni (No. 7). However, with no official decision yet, Kohli’s No. 18 remains active—and Pant’s appearance in it stirred nostalgia and debate alike.
“Seeing Pant wear No. 18 felt strange and emotional at the same time. Kohli made that number legendary,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Did Rishabh Pant Change His Jersey Number?
Pant traditionally wears No. 17 in international cricket. The sight of him in No. 18 led to speculation that he might have switched permanently.
However, sources clarified that India A players are free to choose any jersey number, as the format does not require official registration of squad numbers.
Pant Not the First to Wear Kohli’s Number
Interestingly, Pant isn’t the first to wear Kohli’s No. 18 since the Test retirement. Earlier in June, fast bowler Mukesh Kumar was spotted wearing the same number during an unofficial Test for India A against the England Lions.
That incident also caused a stir online, with Mukesh facing criticism from emotional fans who called it “disrespectful” to Kohli’s legacy.
At the time, a senior BCCI official clarified the rule:
“Mukesh wore No. 18 during the India A match versus the Lions. But for India A squads, there are no fixed jersey numbers since the kits don’t carry names. Players can pick any number available. Jersey numbers are only permanent in international matches,” the official told PTI.
What’s Next for Pant
Pant’s return is being closely monitored by the BCCI selectors and India’s medical staff, as he eyes a full comeback to the senior national team ahead of the South Africa Test series.
Fans are hopeful that his comeback—symbolized by wearing the jersey number of one of India’s greatest players—marks the beginning of another remarkable chapter in Indian cricket.
