The BCCI is reportedly retiring MS Dhoni’s iconic No. 7 jersey as a tribute to his illustrious cricketing career, marking the end of its availability for any future Indian player.
The revered No.7 jersey, famously worn by former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, has been reportedly retired by the BCCI, signaling an end to its availability for future Indian cricketers. This decision comes three years after Dhoni’s retirement, honoring his remarkable contributions to cricket since his 2004 debut. Dhoni’s choice of No. 7 stemmed from personal significance, as it aligned with his birthdate (July 7), dispelling notions that it was chosen for its supposed luck factor.
According to reports from Indian Express, new and existing players have been instructed against choosing the No. 7 jersey.
“The young players and current Indian team players have been told not to pick M S Dhoni’s Number 7 jersey. The BCCI has decided to retire Dhoni’s T-shirt for his contribution to the game. A new player can’t get No. 7, and No. 10 was already off the list of available numbers,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 jersey, like MS Dhoni’s No. 7, was retired in 2017, honoring their iconic careers. In the ICC, players can select numbers from 1 to 100, but in India, choices are limited. The BCCI maintains around 60 numbers for active and potential players, reserving even sidelined players’ numbers, leaving debutants with approximately 30 choices for their jersey numbers.
Emerging players are facing a scramble for iconic jersey numbers already taken by senior members. Yashasvi Jaiswal, debuting this year, eyed No. 19, currently held by Dinesh Karthik. Shubman Gill desired No. 7 but settled for No. 77. In 2017, Shardul Thakur received backlash for donning No. 10, reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar’s number, leading to online trolling. Eventually, BCCI intervened, and Thakur changed his jersey to 54 to pacify the situation.
Last Updated on December 15, 2023
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