REVEALED: Secret behind Virat Kohli's jersey number 18

New Delhi: International cricketers are a superstitious lot. Most of them prefer to stick to a specific routine before matches.

From sitting on a particular chair in the dressing room to wearing lucky shoes, athletes tend to follow a pattern that has brought them success in the past.

Players are also fond of opting for a favorite jersey number. While MS Dhoni is seen sporting 7, Virat Kohli has 18 on the back of his shirt.

While the reasons behind MSD's choice of that number is well documented, cricket fans are unaware why India's ODI vice-captain loves the number 18.

According to popular websites, CricTracker and Being Indian, the Delhi lad has an emotional connect to that number.

The 27-year-old's father died on December 18, 2006. At the time, Virat was 18 years old.

Since then, the right-hander has played with 18 on his back. He first opted for his number in U-19 cricket and then continued the practice for India and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

Virat has often stated that his father Mr. Prem Kohli was the one who encouraged him to play the game and even admitted him to a cricket academy in Delhi.

It was a dream of Virat's father to see his son wear the India colors. Unfortunately, he passed away before Virat made his India debut.