Rishabh Pant Returns In Kohli's No. 18 Jersey; Sparks Fan Debate After 3-Month Injury Layoff

He’s back. Rishabh Pant made his highly anticipated return to competitive cricket on Thursday, October 30, 2025, captaining India A against South Africa A in Bengaluru. But it wasn’t just his comeback after a three-month injury layoff that got everyone talking. It was the number on his back: 18. Virat Kohli’s number.

Key Takeaways

Rishabh Pant returned to competitive action on October 30, 2025, after a three-month absence due to a foot fracture.
He is captaining the India A squad in a four-day match against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
Pant surprisingly wore Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 18 jersey instead of his usual No. 17, sparking a massive debate on social media.
This series is a critical fitness test for Pant ahead of India’s upcoming Test tour against South Africa.

The Long Road to Recovery

Look, it’s been a tough few months for Pant. He sustained a nasty fracture to his right foot/toe back in late July during the fourth Test against England. That injury sidelined him completely. He had to sit out the entire Asia Cup and also missed the home Test series against the West Indies.

For weeks, he’s been grinding it out at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), focusing on getting his batting and wicketkeeping back up to speed. He even played in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh from October 25-28 to get some game time. So yeah, this comeback has been earned.

A Shocking Jersey Swap

But honestly, the biggest story of the day wasn’t the comeback itself. It was the jersey. Pant walked out wearing the No. 18 jersey, a number synonymous with the recently retired legend, Virat Kohli. His usual number is 17. Why the change? Nobody knows for sure, but it instantly set social media on fire.

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Social Media Storm

You can imagine the reaction. Fans were completely divided. Some saw it as a powerful tribute to a player who changed Indian cricket. A passing of the torch, maybe? Others felt the number should have been retired with Kohli, arguing that it was too iconic for anyone else to wear. The debate raged online all day.

What This Comeback Really Means

Jersey drama aside, this two-match series against South Africa A is incredibly important. It’s Pant’s golden ticket to prove he’s ready for the big leagues again. India has a tough Test assignment coming up against the world champions, South Africa, and they need their star keeper-batter at his best.

Expert Analysis

According to India A vice-captain Sai Sudharsan, Pant is looking sharp. He said Pant appears “fitter and strong” and is as “courageous as always.” That’s a huge vote of confidence. This series isn’t just about Pant, though. It’s a massive opportunity for other players like Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal to make their case for a Test call-up.

So, as Pant takes the field, he’s not just playing for a win. He’s playing for his spot, his rhythm, and his future in the Indian Test side. The jersey might have started the conversation, but his performance will be the final word. What do you think of his jersey choice? Let us know!

Rishabh Pant Returns In Kohli’s No. 18 Jersey; Sparks Fan Debate After 3-Month Injury Layoff

Key Takeaways

The Long Road to Recovery