In cricket, jersey numbers mean more than just a number. They hold deep personal stories and are linked to legendary players. From Sachin Tendulkar’s famous number 10 to MS Dhoni’s number 7, these numbers tell tales of triumph and inspiration. At Cric Info 360, we offer a detailed guide to Indian cricket jersey numbers from 1 to 100. You’ll learn the stories behind them and who currently wears them.
The Significance of Jersey Numbers in Indian Cricket
Jersey numbers in cricket have grown from simple labels to symbols of player identity. In India, these numbers often reflect personal milestones or special moments. Some numbers are so iconic that the BCCI has retired them to preserve their legacy. These numbers tell personal stories. They might be chosen for birthdays or to honor someone important. Over time, they become a part of the player’s identity in fans’ hearts. For cricket fans, knowing these numbers helps identify players and understand the history behind each number. At Cric Info 360, we provide detailed information on cricket, including these meaningful jersey numbers that connect fans to their heroes.
Ben Duckett: Rising Star of English Cricket
Officially Retired Jersey Numbers in Indian Cricket
Number 10 – Sachin Tendulkar
Retired in 2017, Sachin’s number 10 jersey is a tribute to his unmatched contribution to Indian cricket. He changed from number 99 to 10 on the astrologer’s advice. His 24-year career, with 100 international centuries, made this number legendary.
Number 7 – MS Dhoni
Retired in 2023, Dhoni’s number 7 jersey represents one of cricket’s greatest leaders. Born on July 7, Dhoni chose this number, which became known for his cool demeanor and tactical genius. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
When Shardul Thakur briefly wore the number 10 jersey for his ODI debut in 2017, he faced backlash. He later explained that the digits of his birthdate (16/10/1991) add up to 10, but soon switched to number 54 out of respect for Tendulkar’s legacy.
Stories Behind Iconic Jersey Numbers in Indian Cricket
Number 18 – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s choice of number 18 holds deep emotional significance. His father passed away on December 18, 2006, and Kohli made his India debut on August 18, 2008. He sees a “cosmic connection” to the number, which has seen his rise to cricket greatness.
Number 45 – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma wears number 45 due to a numerological connection. He was suggested to wear number 9 for the U-19 World Cup in 2006. Preferring double digits, his mother suggested 45, as 4+5=9. This number is linked to his elegant batting and leadership.
Number 12 – Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh’s number 12 has a remarkable coincidence. He was born on December 12 (12/12), at 12 PM, in Sector 12 of Chandigarh. This number has seen his explosive batting, including six sixes in an over against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and his Player of the Tournament performance in the 2011 World Cup.
Number 19 – Rahul Dravid
“The Wall” initially wore number 5 but switched to 19 on advice from numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani. Dravid, a “number 2 person,” needed a stronger number like 1. He also chose 19 to remember his wife’s birth date. This number became linked with his solid technique and unwavering determination.
Number 8 – Ravindra Jadeja
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wears number 8 for mathematical reasons. His birthdate is 6/12/1988, and the sum of these digits is 8. He couldn’t get number 12 because Yuvraj Singh had it. Number 8 is now linked with his all-round excellence.
Number 77 – Shubman Gill
Rising star Shubman Gill wanted to wear number 7 like his idol MS Dhoni. When that wasn’t available, he doubled it to 77. This number is now linked with his elegant batting style and promising future in Indian cricket. Gill is often called the “Prince of Indian Cricket” for his exceptional batting.
Discover Vignesh Puthur, India’s Talented Cricketer
Complete List of Indian Cricket Team Jersey Numbers (1-100)
Jersey Number | Player Name | Jersey Number | Player Name |
1 | KL Rahul | 2 | Arshdeep Singh |
3 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 4 | T Natarajan |
5 | Washington Sundar | 6 | Wriddhiman Saha |
7 | MS Dhoni (Retired) | 8 | Ravindra Jadeja |
9 | Sanju Samson | 10 | Sachin Tendulkar (Retired) |
11 | Mohammed Shami | 12 | Yuvraj Singh, Nitish Rana |
13 | Munaf Patel | 14 | Sanju Samson |
15 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 16 | Mayank Agarwal |
17 | Rishabh Pant | 18 | Virat Kohli |
19 | Dinesh Karthik, Umesh Yadav | 20 | Axar Patel |
Jersey Number | Player Name | Jersey Number | Player Name |
21 | Manish Pandey | 22 | Jayant Yadav, Sandeep Warrier |
23 | Kuldeep Yadav | 24 | Krunal Pandya |
25 | Shivam Dube, Cheteshwar Pujara | 27 | Khaleel Ahmed |
28 | Rahul Chahar | 29 | Varun Chakaravarthy |
31 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 32 | Ishan Kishan |
33 | Hardik Pandya | 35 | Rinku Singh |
36 | Harshal Patel | 41 | Shreyas Iyer |
42 | Shikhar Dhawan | 43 | Prasidh Krishna |
45 | Rohit Sharma | 48 | Suresh Raina |
54 | Shardul Thakur | 56 | Ravi Bishnoi |
Jersey Number | Player Name | Jersey Number | Player Name |
57 | Deepak Hooda | 59 | Vijay Shankar |
63 | Suryakumar Yadav | 64 | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
65 | Avesh Khan | 70 | Shivam Dube |
73 | Mohammed Siraj | 77 | Shubman Gill, Jaydev Unadkat |
79 | Kedar Jadhav | 88 | Shahbaz Nadeem |
90 | Deepak Chahar | 93 | Jasprit Bumrah |
96 | Navdeep Saini | 97 | Ishant Sharma |
99 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 100 | Prithvi Shaw |
Some jersey numbers in Indian cricket are not used. Numbers like 38-40, 46-47, 49-53, 58, 60-62, 66-69, 71-72, 74-76, 78, 80-87, 89, 91-92, 94-95, and 98 are not assigned to any famous players yet.
List of The Tallest Cricket Players in India
Evolution of the Indian Cricket Team Jersey
The Indian cricket jersey has changed a lot over the years. This change started when colored clothes were first used in international cricket:
- Pre-1992: Before, players wore classic whites with no numbers. This was the traditional cricket outfit.
- 1992 World Cup: The first colored jersey was introduced. It was dark blue with white, red, green, and light blue stripes. Player names were in yellow.
- 1996 World Cup: The jersey became lighter blue. It had a wide yellow chest stripe with “India” in light blue and multicolored arrows.
- 1999 World Cup: This year, the jersey was light blue with a yellow BCCI crest diagonally across the front. It’s one of the most iconic designs.
- 2003 World Cup: The jersey was light blue with black accents. It had the Indian tricolor in the center and the team name above it.
- 2007 World Cup: The jersey was light blue with a tricolor stripe on the right side. It became famous when India won the T20 World Cup.
- 2011 World Cup: The jersey was darker blue with orange details. It had tricolor stripes on both sides. This jersey is linked to India’s ODI World Cup victory.
- 2019 World Cup: The team introduced home and away jerseys. The away jersey was darker blue with orange details.
- 2023 World Cup: The jersey was dark blue with tricolor shoulder stripes. It had three stars above the BCCI crest, representing India’s three World Cup victories.
Jersey numbers have become more important over time. Players choose numbers that mean something to them. These numbers help fans recognize players and are a big part of modern cricket.
Rasikh Salam: Rising Star in Indian Cricket
Indian Cricket Team Jersey Sponsors
The sponsorship of the Indian cricket team jersey is a big source of income for the BCCI. Here’s how sponsorship has changed over the years:
- ITC (1993-2002): ITC was the first sponsor during cricket’s early growth in India.
- Sahara India Pariwar (2002-2013): Sahara was the longest-serving sponsor. They invested over Rs 3.34 crore per international match.
- Star India (2014-2017): Star India paid around Rs 1.92 crore for bilateral matches and Rs 61 lakh for ICC matches.
- Oppo (2017-2019): Oppo got the rights for a reported Rs 1,079 crores for five years.
- Byju’s (2019-2023): Byju’s paid an estimated USD 35 million before their contract was ended early.
- Dream11 (2023-present): Dream11 is the current sponsor. They have a deal worth Rs 358 crore.
- Adidas (Kit Producer from 2023): Adidas signed a five-year deal worth Rs 350 crores. They pay ₹65 lakh to the BCCI per match.
The BCCI has strict rules for jersey sponsorship. They don’t allow betting, cryptocurrency, tobacco, or real-money gaming companies to sponsor. For the latest on the Indian cricket team sponsorships and jersey details, visit Cric Info 360. It’s your go-to for all cricket news and information.
Know The Most Hated Cricketer in India
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Cricket Jersey Numbers
Why is blue the chosen color for the Indian Cricket Team’s jersey?
Blue represents the sky and ocean, like the Ashoka Chakra on the national flag. This choice avoids religious or political bias seen in colors like saffron or green.
When did the Indian Cricket Team start wearing colored jerseys with numbers?
The team started wearing colored jerseys in the 1992 World Cup. Before that, they wore classic white clothes without numbers.
Which jersey numbers have been officially retired in Indian cricket?
The BCCI has retired two jersey numbers. Number 10 (Sachin Tendulkar) retired in 2017. Number 7 (MS Dhoni) was retired in 2023. This honors their amazing contributions to Indian cricket.
Why did Virat Kohli choose jersey number 18?
Virat Kohli picked number 18 for a special reason. His father passed away on December 18, 2006. He made his India debut on August 18, 2008. He sees a deep connection between these dates and the number.
What is the story behind Rohit Sharma’s jersey number 45?
Rohit Sharma was suggested to wear number 9 for the U-19 World Cup in 2006. But he wanted a double-digit number. His mom suggested 45 because 4+5=9. This number has become a part of his identity.
Has any player worn a jersey without a number in Indian cricket?
Yes, Virender Sehwag played without a number for a while. There are different stories about why he did this. Some say it was a numerologist’s advice, others that he wanted to break free from superstitions.
Curious to Know Who the Selfish player in Cricket?
I’m a cricket analyst and passionate storyteller, decoding the game beyond the scoreboard. With sharp insights, match breakdowns, and a deep love for the sport, he delivers crisp, factual, and fan-first content trusted by cricket readers worldwide.