In cricket, it is ordinary for players to play the game with a jersey number on their back. Many cricketers have personal events attached to that number, while many players randomly take any jersey number. There are even players like Sehwag who do not have the jersey numbers. But there are some players whose jersey number become an iconic number. So, let's look at the Greatest Players from each Jersey Number.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (10)
If there is ever a discussion about cricket, then Sachin Tendulkar's name will surely come. He is the highest run-scorer in test and ODI cricket; no player has scored more international runs than he has. That's why Sachin Tendulkar is the god of cricket. Even though Sachin started his career with a Jersey number 99, he soon changed his Jersey number to 10. With Jersey Number 10, Sachin Tendulkar created many unbreakable records. Even BCCI has retired the Jersey Number 10, and no player is allowed to play with a 10 Jersey number. In his career, Sachin Tendulkar has scored 15,921 runs in tests and 18,426 runs in ODIs.
2. Jacques Kallis (3)
Jacques Kallis is the most excellent all-rounder the cricketing world has ever seen. He was the kind of player who could bat, bowl, and field with the same efficiency. For sure, Jacques Kallis was a one-person army for South Africa. He used to wear Jersey number 3. But after his father's death, Jacques Kallis changed his Jersey number to 65 as his father died at 65. In his career, Jacques Kallis has scored 13,289 runs in tests and 11,579 runs in ODIs.
3. Brian Lara (9)
After Sachin Tendulkar, if there was one batsman who was a nightmare for bowlers, he would be none other than Brian Lara. Undoubtedly, he is one of the best batsmen that West Indies has ever produced. Brian Lara used to have an exquisite style of batting. Throughout his career, Brian Lara wore Jersey Number 9. He was the reason that Jersey Number 9 became so legendary. In his career, Brian Lara has scored 11,953 runs in tests and 10,405 runs in ODIs.
4. MS Dhoni (7)
Undoubtedly, MS Dhoni is the most excellent wicketkeeper and skipper that India has ever produced. Throughout his career, Dhoni played with a Jersey Number 7 as he was born on the 7th day of the 7th month. That's why number 7 is close to MS Dhoni's heart. He is the biggest reason for making Jersey number 7 popular. After him, many young cricketers like Shubman Gill and Rishab Pant started wearing the Jersey number 77 or 777. In his career, MS Dhoni has scored 4,876 runs in tests and 10,773 runs in ODIs, with an average of 38.1 and 50.6, respectively.
5. Muttiah Muralitharan (8)
Muttiah Muralitharan is the most excellent spinner that Sri Lanka has ever produced. Like Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the highest wickets in tests and ODIs. Throughout his career, he wore Jersey number 8, which became a legendary number. After his retirement, when he played for CSK in IPL, Muttiah Muralitharan played with Jersey number 800 as he had taken 800 wickets in test cricket. In his career, Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 800 wickets in tests and 534 wickets in ODIs.
6. Virat Kohli (18)
Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen that India has ever produced. Like his batting, Virat Kohli's jersey number is essential. He played with a Jersey number 18 because of the significant life events that happened in his life, including his international debut and his father's demise, which occurred on the 18th. That's why Virat Kohli played with a Jersey number 18 across all game formats. So far, Virat Kohli has scored 8,676 runs in tests, 13,848 runs in ODIs, and 4,008 in T20 Internationals.
7. AB de Villiers (17)
Ab de Villiers is one of the most influential cricketers, as he is the one who started playing 360-degree shots. By having the ability to play 360-degree, Ab de Villiers has a wide range of shots, which becomes a headache for bowlers. Ab de Villiers was born on the 17th of February, and he considers 17 a lucky number. That's why Ab de Villiers always played with a Jersey number 17. Undoubtedly, Jersey number 17 is iconic in cricket. In his career, AB de Villiers has scored 8,765 runs in tests, 9,577 runs in ODIs, and 1,672 runs in T20 Internationals.
8. Shane Warne (23)
Undoubtedly, Shane Warne was one of the greatest spinners that cricket has ever seen. He was a leg-spinner who reinvented the art of leg-spin. No one can forget his ball of the century, which he bowled to Mike Gatting. Shane Warne always wore Jersey number 23 in ODIs. After his retirement, Michael Clarke used to wear Jersey number 23 as Clarke gave tribute to legendary Shane Warne. In his career, Shane Warne took 708 wickets in tests and 293 wickets in ODIs, averaging 25.4 and 25.7, respectively.
9. Waqar Younis (99)
Waqar Younis is a former fast-bowler and coach of Pakistan. For sure, he is one of the greatest fast bowlers that Pakistan has ever produced. In his prime, every world-class batter used to fear him. Waqar Younis played with a Jersey number 99 and represented Pakistan throughout his career. In his career, Waqar Younis took 87 tests and 262 ODIs, taking 373 and 416 wickets, respectively.
10. Rohit Sharma (45)
Rohit Sharma is one of the finest batsmen in the modern-day cricket. He has scored three double-centuries in ODI cricket, which is the most by any batsman. Rohit Sharma plays with a Jersey number 45, and he credits his mother for his jersey number. Rohit Sharma says my mother likes the number 45, so that's with a Jersey number 45. So far, Rohit Sharma has scored 3,677 runs in tests, 10,709 runs in ODIs, and 3,853 in T20 Internationals.
