For cricket fans, the number 45 is instantly associated with Rohit Sharma, fondly known as the ‘Hitman’. But behind the iconic jersey number lies a personal story involving an early cricketing memory, a conversation with his mother, and a number that simply felt right to him. On Family Full House with Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricketer opened up about how he chose the jersey number that has become synonymous with his identity on the field.
During the conversation, Rahul Lohani asked Rohit about the significance of the number 45, saying, “Sir, 45 number jersey dekhte hi ya sunte hi samajh aa jaata hai logon ko ki Hitman aa gaya hai, Par ye 45 number kyun choose kiya aapne, sir?”
Recounting the story behind his choice, Rohit explained “Iska bada simple sa logic tha, Maine jab pehli baar jersey mein cricket khela, kyunki aap jersey pehente ho toh aapko number choose karna padta hai. Toh logon ne sab number choose kar liye tha, number 5, number 8, number 9. Mujhe single-digit number chahiye tha, lekin sab logon ne choose kar liya tha. Toh mere paas bacha number 19. Kyunki woh 19 number mujhe bas aise hi achha lag raha tha. Toh maine 19 number daal ke maine khela bhi, Under-19 mein.”
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However, Rohit soon learnt that he would have to reconsider his choice if he went on to represent the Indian team. Explaining how he discovered this, he shared: “Phir uske baad, I think mere ek saath mein khel rahe the uss time pe abhi mujhe naam yaad nahi aa raha hai. Unhone mujhe bola, ‘Arey Bhai, ye Under-19 theek hai, India team mein khelega na tu, ye number nahi le sakta hai.’ Toh main bola, ‘Kyun?’ yaar, Toh bole, ‘Rahul Dravid ka number hai,’ aur Rahul Dravid uss time pe 19 number se khel rahe the, aur woh captain the.”
With his original choice no longer an option, Rohit turned to his mother for advice. Recalling the conversation, he said: “Toh tabhi uske baad, turant shaam ko main hotel pahunchkar maine mummy ko phone kiya. Mummy ko bola, ‘Mummy, ye number se nahi khel sakta hoon. Abhi aap mujhe batao ki kaun se number se khelna chahiye.’ Toh mummy ne mere liye ye number pick kiya ’45’. Mummy ne mujhe bola, ‘9 number se khel, tere liye achha rahega.’ 9 number chala gaya tha, 27 number se khelna nahi tha mujhe. Toh mujhe 4 aur 5 aaju-baaju mein bahut achha lag raha tha. Toh mera bhi mummy ko ye feedback tha ki 4-5 jyada acha lag raha hai toh, ‘Mummy, ye number leta hoon main. Ye 9 bhi hota hai aur number jersey pe bhi 4-5 bohot achha lagega.’”
Through this anecdote, Rohit revealed the personal story behind a number that fans now instantly recognise. What began as a practical choice, shaped by the availability of jersey numbers and his mother’s suggestion, eventually became an inseparable part of his identity as the Hitman.
