Statistics in cricket make a lot of sense. Then we have Virat Kohli, who seems to be channeling some kind of magic number, 18. From his early career to personal landmarks to IPL titles, Virat Kohli’s career seems to have some form of attachment to the number 18. Let’s look into three examples where 18 played a role in the King’s story.
The Debut That Started It All: August 18, 2008
Most players normally feel nervous enough for their debuts anyhow, but there was probably something meta about Kohli’s debut in a way. Kohli was never going to knock the cover off the ball on his international debut on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka, at Dambulla, and he made just 12 runs from 22 balls, but debuting was anything but ordinary.
Kohli has often said, and rightly so, how surreal it felt to him to start his international career on the day that would always be one of those dates to recur in his life. For the cricketing fanbase, August 18 is a date to remember not for the score in the beginning, but rather for a talent that would change an era.
Jersey Number 18: A Symbol of Destiny
Have you ever wondered why Kohli has always worn the number 18 in his jersey? This wasn’t predetermined or selected as his lucky number – it was simply assigned to him when he received his India U19 jersey. As it would happen, fate had bigger plans in store. From then on, 18 became a signature rather than a number.
Kohli’s number is 18 – a supporter-filled stadium for the Team India captain is as good proof of greatness as one simple number can provide. There is a bit of melancholy to it, too – Kohli’s father passed away on 18 December 2006. He has said that was a day he always felt held a weight of some sort. “I mean, two of the most important dates in my life were 18,” Kohli said in an interview about the wild ride of significance surrounding such a simple number. An intersection of happiness and sadness. A number that collects his cricketing self.
IPL Glory in the 18th Season
The number 18 could not have been more important for Kohli’s debut and personal life; it would have continued to be significant in the IPL. The same 18th season of the Indian Premier League is now 2025, when Kohli finally lifted the trophy with Royal Challengers Bangalore, the moment every fan had been longing for, what they felt like forever.
Kohli’s season was astounding. Across 15 matches, Kohli piled up 657 runs, smashing eight half-centuries along the way. After years of nearly winning playoffs and finals, RCB could finally claim a championship. Almost as if the universe was validating what fans had already understood: numbers associated with Kohli’s accomplishments are connected by the number 18.
Many may see this as coincidental, and while Kohli respects that this appears to be an answerable query for him, he also seems to think the number 18 is more critical, almost cosmic, in that he is prepared to accept that what he does has meaning or is, at least, reasonable in the aspirational larger design of life.
FAQs
- Why does Kohli wear jersey number 18?
He was first assigned No. 18 in the India U19 team, and it stuck throughout his career.
- Did anything personal happen to Kohli on the 18th?
Yes, his father passed away on December 18, 2006.
- Has the number 18 influenced Kohli’s career success?
Fans and Kohli see it as a recurring, symbolic number marking key moments in his journey.
