IND vs NEP: Virat Kohli Reveals Why He Wears Number 18 Jersey, Says '...There Has To Be A Cosmic Connection With This Number'

India star batsman, Virat Kohli opened up on the secret behind the number 18 jersey and said that there must be a cosmic connection behind it since he got the number way back, and two of the most important things in his life happened on the 18th.

While speaking to Star Sports, Virat Kohli said that he first got the number 18 jersey when he first got the jersey for the Under-19 India team and it just came randomly since he did not ask for it.

The 34-year-old star batsman added that he made his India debut on the 18th of August 2008 and later his father died on the 18th of December, and that is why the number 18 is special to him.

“To be honest 18, it started off just being a number that was given to me when I first opened that India U19 jersey, the first time I got my name and number on my back, and I got 18. But then it ended up becoming a very very important number in my life, my debut game for India was on the 18th of August 2008.

“My father passed away on the 18th of December. Two of the most significant dates in my life happened to be 18. But I got the number way before that so there has to be a cosmic connection with this number,” Virat Kohli said.

While talking about his fitness, Virat Kohli said that there have been no such instances where the player has felt horrible for straight one hour after his workout. The feeling just stays for 10-15 minutes, he revealed.

“So with fitness, I have realized that in every session that feeling lasts about 15 minutes that’s how much you need to push through, at least in my case. I have never gone through a full session where I felt horrible for a whole hour, it is just the first 10-15 minutes where your body is kind of resisting it and pushing back.

“But then beyond that uncomfortable feeling or feeling of I don’t wanna do it, I am literally bliss after that 10-15 minutes,” the 34-year-old added.

Virat Kohli stated nowadays he doesn’t have any random cheat days anymore, even the cheat days are planned and that the star player is very particular about his diet.

“I do have cravings, I am not in that I am very particular about my diet. If I have a cheat day, it is a plan cheat day, I don’t have any random cheat days anymore.

“If I have had a hectic day, say we play an ODI in Chennai or a Test in Chennai, and it is been hot. So, I know that I have gone through something that my body is not used to, so then I deserve to get home and have that meal,” Kohli further added.

Ever wondered what's the significance of "18" in @imVkohli's life?

Hear it from the King himself! pic.twitter.com/Ts2Qs2TQjl

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 3, 2023

I don’t feel like I am short of energy at any stage in the harshest of conditions: Virat Kohli

The star India batsman said that a vegetarian diet helped him a lot better than the time when he was having meat. Kohli added that the recovery and energy levels are way better now after having a veg diet.

“For me personally being on a vegetarian diet has helped me way more than when I was eating meat. My recovery is way better, my energy levels are way better. I don’t feel like I am short of energy at any stage in the harshest of conditions, I don’t have any niggles or inflammation in my body anymore, and I wake up fresh even after a very very hectic game the next day. So it is been phenomenal,” Virat Kohli concluded.

India will take on Nepal in the fifth match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday (September 4th) at 3:00 PM IST. The Men in Blues are coming into this match after locking horns against Pakistan.