Fans fume as Mukesh Kumar wears Virat Kohli’s No.18 against England Lions

India A pacer Mukesh Kumar on Sunday stirred controversy after taking the field in Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 18 jersey during the ongoing unofficial Test match against the England Lions in Canterbury. The incident quickly sparked outrage across social media, with fans expressing displeasure over what they perceived as a lack of respect for the former Indian captain’s legacy.

🇮🇳 3rd day has started but still Mukesh Kumar is wearing the No.18 jersey 🔥

After Virat Kohli’s shock Test retirement in May 2025, the India A pacer switches from 49 to 18 in the unofficial Test vs England Lions! 🏏 #MukeshKumar #ViratKohli #IndiaAvsEnglandLions… pic.twitter.com/XTTyxTDnu7

— The Great India (@thegreatindiav) June 1, 2025

BCCI changed mukesh Kumar`s jersey no. From 18 to 49 🤣

This is Embarrassing 😭 pic.twitter.com/DEe8IwYZmC

— Jayprakash MSDian™ (@ms_dhoni_077) June 1, 2025

@BCCI how can you give virat kohli jersey number to Mukesh kumar 🤦‍♂️

— balu devilliers 17 (@BaluDevilliers) June 1, 2025

Mukesh Kumar wearing our Virat Kohli`s 18 number jersey.
How dare he? What is his instagram? pic.twitter.com/zMIli0gtcf

— jataayu (@WoKyaHotaHai) May 31, 2025

Several users on X (formerly Twitter) condemned the move, with a growing chorus calling on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to retire Kohli’s jersey number, much like how Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 was taken out of circulation after his retirement. “No hate to BCCI but it`s a shame,” read a post. 

💔💔💔💔💔 plz retire the jersy number

— KIRTIMAAN (@iKIRTIMAAN) May 31, 2025

But how bcci allow him it`s to early man 😭

— Shamsi ( MSH) (@ShamsiHaidri) May 31, 2025

No hate to Mukesh but it`s a shame

— amin (@aminirb) May 31, 2025

Kohli, who officially retired from Test cricket on May 12, made the No. 18 jersey synonymous with excellence in Indian cricket. Over the course of his 123-Test career, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs and captained India in 68 matches, earning global acclaim as one of the greatest modern-day batters. His sudden decision to step away from red-ball cricket brought an end to a golden chapter in Indian cricket history.

Mukesh, who generally wears jersey No. 49 in domestic and A-team fixtures, was seen in the No. 18 shirt for the first time. It remains unclear whether the jersey selection was a personal choice, a kit error, or an administrative lapse. The BCCI has not released any official statement regarding the matter, nor have they indicated whether Kohli’s jersey number will be retired across all formats.

Mukesh, however, made his presence felt on the field with a commendable bowling performance. The right-arm seamer picked up three wickets to lead India A’s fightback on Day 3 of the four-day fixture. His efforts helped curb the momentum of the England Lions after Max Holden’s eighth first-class century.

At lunch on the penultimate day, England Lions were reduced to 333 for five, still trailing by 224 runs. Overnight centurion Tom Haines remained unbeaten on 142 (off 208 balls) and was joined by Dan Mousley (2*) at the break.

This article first appeared on Mid Day