Outrage as Mukesh Kumar wears Virat Kohli's iconic No. 18 jersey in unofficial test vs England Lions
Canterbury: India A pacer Mukesh Kumar sparked a wave of criticism online after walking out in Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 18 jersey during the first unofficial Test against the England Lions. Kohli, who recently retired from Test cricket, made the number synonymous with his career, and many fans took to social media to express their displeasure over another player donning it.
Kohli, who scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches and led India in 68 of them, had worn the No. 18 jersey throughout his red-ball career. Following his sudden retirement on 12 May, the number holds deep emotional value for his fans, with some demanding that the BCCI retire it in his honour, similar to Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 jersey.
“Mukesh Kumar wearing our Virat Kohli's number 18 jersey. How dare he? What is his Instagram?” read one of the widely circulated posts on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the emotional backlash from Kohli’s supporters.
Mukesh Kumar, who has previously worn the No. 49 jersey, has not commented on the number switch. It is unclear whether the decision was deliberate or an administrative oversight. The BCCI has also not issued any statement on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mukesh made an impact with the ball, taking three wickets and helping India A mount a comeback. Despite Max Holden's century, the England Lions reached 333 for five at lunch on the penultimate day, trailing by 224 runs. Overnight centurion Tom Haines (142) was still at the crease alongside Dan Mousley (2).
Though Mukesh’s performance drew praise, the jersey controversy continues to trend online, with Kohli fans seeing the number 18 as more than just a shirt, for many, it symbolises an unforgettable chapter in Indian cricket history.
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40 Palestinians killed in Gaza as Netanyahu, Trump meet over ceasefire
Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Jul 9 (AP): At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, hospital officials said Wednesday, as international mediators raced to complete a ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a second meeting in two days with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday evening. Trump has been pushing for a ceasefire that might lead to an end to the 21-month war in Gaza. Israel and Hamas are considering a new US-backed ceasefire proposal that would pause the war, free Israeli hostages and send much-needed aid into Gaza.
Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said the dead included included 17 women and 10 children. It said one strike killed 10 people from the same family, including three children.
The Israeli military did not comment on specific strikes, but said it had struck more than 100 targets across Gaza over the past day, including Hamas members, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, missile launchers and tunnels. Israel accuses Hamas of hiding weapons and fighters among civilians.
