Role of ICC and BCCI
In cricket, jersey numbers are personally chosen by players, with neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) dictating these choices. While there are no official guidelines, players are required to ensure that no two individuals in the playing eleven share the same number. For instance, prominent Indian players sport unique numbers: Virat Kohli wears 18, MS Dhoni 7, and Rohit Sharma 45.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar chose the number 10 jersey as he believed it was lucky and a symbolic representation of his surname, “Tendulkar.” Following his retirement, there was interest from the BCCI in retiring this iconic number, though it was later assigned to Shardul Thakur for his debut. Internationally, the number 10 is not exclusive, with players like Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi also donning it. Interestingly, in football, the number 10 jersey often designates the team’s standout player.
2. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli shared in an interview that jersey number 18 holds special meaning for him, as his father passed away on December 18, 2006. Wearing this number serves as a tribute and a reminder of his father’s presence. Kohli has worn the number 18 since his under-19 days, making it an integral part of his journey in cricket.
3. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni chose the number 7 as his jersey number because he was born on July 7. Additionally, as a football fan, he admired Cristiano Ronaldo, who also wears the number 7. This connection adds a personal touch, making number 7 significant throughout Dhoni’s cricket career.
4. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid initially wore jersey number 5 early in his career. However, after getting married, he changed it to 19, believing it would bring him luck. The number 19 holds personal significance for Dravid, as it aligns with his wife’s birthday, making it a memorable and meaningful choice.
5. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma wears jersey number 45, a choice suggested by his mother. Although his lucky number is 9, which was already taken by Parthiv Patel, he went with 45 since 4 + 5 equals 9. This number has been fortunate for him, marking his rise as a key player for India.
6. Virender Sehwag
Early in his career, Virender Sehwag initially wore jersey number 44, which he felt was unlucky. He then switched to number 46 on the advice of an astrologer, but it didn’t bring the expected success. Ultimately, Sehwag chose to play without any jersey number altogether.
7. Hardik Pandya
India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya wears jersey number 228, a number with personal significance. He chose it to commemorate his 228-run innings in an under-16 match against Vadodara, which was a standout performance in his early career. Since then, Pandya has proudly sported the number 228 on his jersey.