Virat Kohli explains why he wears jersey No. 18 in Star Sports interview

Recently, in an interview with Star Sports, Virat Kohli explained why he wears jersey No. 18 and described the number as having a personal, almost cosmic significance tied to his India debut on August 18, 2008.

For more than a decade and a half since his international debut, Kohli’s No. 18 has been closely associated with his career and widely worn by fans. The article notes the number has become synonymous with Kohli around the world and is displayed by supporters in both India blue and Royal Challengers Bengaluru red.

Kohli addressed the origins of his attachment directly: "18, it started off just being a number. My debut game for India was on the 18th of August. There has to be a cosmic connection with this number. When we are going to games, I see so many people wearing my jersey number and my name, and this is such a great opportunity God has given you, and you feel truly blessed," he said.

The piece recounts personal moments linked to the number, including that just months after his domestic debut, on 18th December 2006, Kohli’s father, Prem Kohli, passed away. Kohli returned to play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy the very next day, an instance the article describes as a comeback showing mental strength.

The report highlights the visibility of No. 18 among supporters, stating fans flock to stadiums clad in blue and red (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) with No. 18 prominent on their backs. The article frames the jersey number as a witness to Kohli’s progression from a cricketer from Delhi into a widely recognised sports figure.

On his current career status, the article says Kohli has retired from two formats of international cricket, Tests and T20Is, while remaining active in ODIs; it adds he surpassed the former record held by Sachin Tendulkar with fifty centuries in one-day cricket and is described as one of India’s most decorated run-scorers in the two formats.

Kohli is due to enter the 20th year of his international career in 2027, and the article concludes by stating he is likely to feature in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which might be the last time he appears for India in that blue shirt.