Indian Cricketers Who Wear the 21 Jersey Number in Cricket
The 21 jersey number in cricket may not be as iconic as some others. However, it has found its place on the backs of a few talented Indian cricketers. The 21 jersey number in cricket features two prominent Indian players who have donned it. These players are the young speed demon Umran Malik and the experienced middle-order batsman Manish Pandey.
In sports like cricket, players wear a specific number on the back of their jersey. They choose these numbers themselves before their debut for the national team. Some players select a number randomly from 1 to 100. Meanwhile, others have special reasons, such as personal stories or astrological beliefs, behind their choice.
In the Indian cricket team, some of the country’s greatest cricketers have fascinating stories behind their jersey numbers. These players and their jersey numbers have become so iconic that whenever you see that number, you immediately think of the player who wore it. Eventually, the number becomes unofficially linked to the player.
A Jersey Number's Story
Jersey numbers in cricket serve not only to identify a player. It also holds unique and sentimental value to them. It is evident from the iconic number 10 of Sachin Tendulkar to the number 7 of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Indian cricketers have adorned famous numbers like 7, 9, and 10, as well as more unusual ones like 100 and 228. Overseas stars also have their own memorable numbers. For instance, Chris Gayle famously wore the 333 jersey, symbolizing his Test innings score.
Some players select their numbers based on numerology or personal significance. Shikhar Dhawan, for example, wears number 25. It is his lucky number and the birthdate of his son. MS Dhoni (7) and Yuvraj Singh (12) also incorporated their birth dates into their jerseys.
However, some players have chosen to switch numbers throughout their careers. Meanwhile, players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have stuck with one number, making it iconic. Most players have consulted numerologists to select their numbers.
Interestingly, some players have adopted numbers previously worn by former players or those not currently in the squad. For instance, Venkatesh Iyer and Cheteshwar Pujara have been selected in limited-overs and Test squads respectively. They both use the same number as their predecessors.
Also Read: Kapil Dev Highest Score
A Jersey, Not Just a Number
Jersey numbers haven’t always been a prominent feature in cricket. Their introduction in the late 20th century added a new layer of personalization to the sport. The 21 jersey number in cricket, however, hasn’t necessarily been a popular choice throughout history. While numbers like Sachin Tendulkar’s 10 are linked to legendary players, the 21 jersey number in cricket doesn’t have one dominant figure associated with it. This lack of a clear association adds to its mystery. This makes it a number that players can interpret and assign their own significance and dreams to.
Umran Malik’s 21 Jersey Number in Cricket
One of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket is Umran Malik. He has chosen the 21 jersey number in cricket. Umran Malik is an all-rounder from India. He represents the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League. Born on November 22, 1999, he is currently 25 years old. Malik bats right-handed and bowls medium seam. His IPL debut was in 2021, and he has played 26 matches in his IPL career so far. He has scored 23 runs at an average of 11.50, with his highest score being 19* runs. Malik has scored 1 four and 2 sixes in his IPL career. In the IPL Auction 2024, the Hyderabad franchise acquired him for Rs 4.00 Cr. His last IPL match was in May 2023 against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, where he did not score any runs.
Umran Malik IPL Stats
Batting Stats
| Season | M | R | HS | Avg | S/R | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - |
| 2023 | 8 | 19 | 19* | 19.00 | 237.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 14 | 4 | 3* | 4.00 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All IPL | 26 | 23 | 19* | 11.50 | 143.75 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Bowling Stats
| Season | Mat | Ov | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | Bst | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | - | 15.00 | 0/15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 20 | 217 | 5 | 43.40 | 10.85 | 2/32 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 49.1 | 444 | 22 | 20.18 | 9.03 | 5/25 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 12 | 96 | 2 | 48.00 | 8.00 | 1/21 | 0 |
| All IPL | 26 | 82.1 | 772 | 29 | 26.62 | 9.40 | 5/25 | 1 |
Fielding Stats
| Season | MAT | Catch Taken | Stumps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | - | - |
| 2023 | 8 | 1 | - |
| 2022 | 14 | 5 | - |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| All IPL | 26 | 6 | 0 |
Manish Pandey’s 21 Jersey Number in Cricket
Another notable Indian cricketer who has donned the number 21 jersey is Manish Pandey. Manish Pandey, a cricketer from Karnataka, is known for his role in the Kolkata franchise of the Indian Premier League. Born on September 10, 1989, he is currently 35 years old. Pandey bats right-handed and made his IPL debut in 2008. Throughout his IPL career spanning 171 matches, Pandey has scored 3,850 runs at an average of 29.17. He boasts 1 century and 22 half-centuries, with a highest score of 114* runs. Pandey has struck 335 fours and 110 sixes in the IPL. In the 2024 IPL Auction, the Kolkata franchise acquired him for Rs 50.00 Lac. His last IPL match, played in May 2024 against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, saw him score 42 runs off 31 balls.
Manish Pandey IPL Stats
Batting Stats
| Season | M | R | HS | Avg | S/R | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 42 | 42 | 42.00 | 135.48 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 10 | 160 | 50 | 17.78 | 109.59 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 |
| 2022 | 6 | 88 | 38 | 14.67 | 110.00 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| 2021 | 8 | 292 | 69* | 48.66 | 123.72 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 | 425 | 83* | 32.69 | 127.62 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 18 |
| 2019 | 12 | 344 | 83* | 43.00 | 130.79 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 6 |
| 2018 | 15 | 284 | 62* | 25.81 | 115.44 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 5 |
| 2017 | 14 | 396 | 81* | 49.50 | 128.57 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 | 248 | 52 | 31.00 | 135.51 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 9 |
| 2015 | 13 | 225 | 40 | 20.45 | 122.28 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 7 |
| 2014 | 16 | 401 | 94 | 30.84 | 117.94 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 10 |
| 2013 | 7 | 136 | 66 | 22.66 | 99.27 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 3 |
| 2012 | 10 | 143 | 80* | 20.42 | 127.67 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| 2011 | 10 | 246 | 59 | 27.33 | 108.37 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 6 |
| 2010 | 13 | 249 | 42* | 20.75 | 110.17 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 7 |
| 2009 | 5 | 168 | 114* | 84.00 | 142.37 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.50 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All IPL | 171 | 3,850 | 114* | 29.17 | 121.11 | 1 | 22 | 335 | 110 |
Bowling Stats
| Season | Mat | Ov | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | Bst | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2023 | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2011 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2010 | 13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 0 |
| 2008 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| All IPL | 168 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 |
Fielding Stats
| Season | MAT | Catch Taken | Stumps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4 | - |
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | - |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | - |
| 2021 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 7 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 7 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 8 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2008 | 3 | - | - |
| All IPL | 171 | 86 | 0 |
The Future of the 21 Jersey Number in Cricket
The 21 jersey number in cricket is likely to see new wearers in the future. Young talents continue to emerge. Each of them comes with their own unique skill set and aspirations. Whether it’s a technically sound batsman or a fiery fast bowler, the 21 jersey number in cricket will eventually witness the journeys of future Indian cricketing heroes.
Conclusion
The 21 jersey number in cricket may not as commonly worn as some others. However, it carries a certain intrigue. It has witnessed the contrasting styles and impactful journeys of talented players such as Manish Pandey and Umran Malik. Both of them are just starting their journeys. The 21 jersey number in cricket could become a symbol of their individual brilliance and their contributions to Indian cricket. Lastly, as cricket evolves, we can expect to see many aspiring cricketers proudly sporting the number 21 jersey.
