Introduction
When you watch a cricket match, you might notice the numbers on the players’ backs. Some numbers become famous over time. Number 10 belongs to football legend Pele. In cricket, number 11 has its own special place. So whose jersey number is 11 in cricket?
The most direct answer for Indian fans is Mohammed Shami. The fast bowler has confirmed that 11 is his jersey number, and it holds personal meaning for him . But here is the important part: number 11 does not belong to just one player. Cricket jersey numbers are chosen by players and teams, and they can change between formats and leagues. Several well-known cricketers across different countries have worn number 11 at some point in their careers.
This article looks at the famous players linked to jersey number 11, explains why players pick certain numbers, and clears up the confusion about who actually owns this number.
Whose Jersey Number Is 11 in Cricket? The Short Answer
There is no single owner of jersey number 11 in cricket. The number is used by different players in different teams and formats.
The most commonly associated player is Mohammed Shami of India, who wears 11 in international cricket . But other notable names have also worn this number:
- Sanju Samson wears number 11 in the IPL (for Rajasthan Royals, and now Chennai Super Kings), but he wears number 9 for India because Shami has 11 .
- Daniel Vettori of New Zealand wore number 11, and New Zealand Cricket retired the number in his honour .
- Glenn McGrath of Australia famously wore number 11, and young Australian bowlers have spoken about the honour of wearing it .
- Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka wore number 11 from 2007 to 2015 .
So the answer depends on which team and which format you are looking at.
Famous Cricketers Who Wore Jersey Number 11
Mohammed Shami (India)
Mohammed Shami is the clearest current answer for Indian cricket. In a rapid-fire Q&A, Shami confirmed: “My jersey number is 11” . He has explained that the number has personal significance, with several things in his life adding up to 11 .
Shami is one of India’s leading fast bowlers. He has been a key part of India’s pace attack across formats, known for his seam movement and ability to take wickets with the new ball and in death overs. His jersey number has become part of his identity on the field.
Sanju Samson (India / IPL)
Sanju Samson has a split identity when it comes to jersey numbers. For India, he wears number 9. The reason is simple: number 11 is taken by Mohammed Shami . But in the IPL, Samson has worn number 11 for years. When he moved to Chennai Super Kings, the franchise confirmed he would continue with number 11 .
Samson’s case perfectly shows why the question “whose jersey number is 11” has no single answer. The same player can wear different numbers for country and club.
Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)
Daniel Vettori is one of the greatest players in New Zealand cricket history. He played 291 ODIs and took 297 wickets, plus 362 Test wickets . He wore number 11 throughout much of his career. In 2019, New Zealand Cricket announced that the number 11 shirt would be retired in his honour, along with numbers of other players who reached 200 ODIs . This makes Vettori the only player in this list whose number 11 has been officially retired by a national board.
Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Glenn McGrath is one of the greatest fast bowlers ever. He wore number 11 for Australia. The number became so associated with him that when young Australian bowler Joel Paris made his debut, he switched from number 3 to number 11 specifically to honour McGrath. Paris said: “It’s an absolute honour to wear Glenn’s No.11” . This shows how much respect the number carries in Australian cricket.
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara, one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen in history, wore number 11 for Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2015 . Before that, he wore number 84. Sangakkara’s career included 38 Test centuries and 25 ODI centuries, the most by a wicket-keeper . His use of number 11 adds to the number’s legacy.
Table: Players Associated with Jersey Number 11
| Player Name | Country | Playing Role | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | India | Fast Bowler | 11 (India) |
| Sanju Samson | India | Wicket-keeper Batter | 9 (India), 11 (IPL) |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | All-rounder / Spinner | 11 (retired by NZ) |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | Fast Bowler | 11 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | Wicket-keeper Batter | 11 (2007–2015) |
Note: Jersey numbers can change between formats, teams, and seasons. This table reflects the most commonly reported numbers for each player.
Why Do Cricketers Wear Jersey Numbers?
Jersey numbers help identify players on the field, especially in limited-overs cricket where players wear coloured kits with large numbers on the back. They also help commentators, fans, and broadcasters track players easily.
For many players, the number is personal. It might be a lucky number, a birthday, a family number, or a tribute to an idol. Mohammed Shami’s connection to 11 is personal . Joel Paris chose 11 to honour Glenn McGrath . These choices give the number meaning beyond just identification.
Are Jersey Numbers Permanent?
No, jersey numbers are not permanent. Players can change them, and the same number can be worn by different players at different times. Sanju Samson wears 9 for India and 11 in the IPL . Ravindra Jadeja wore number 11 early in his IPL career before switching to number 8 . Shivam Dube also wore 11 for CSK before changing numbers .
National teams sometimes retire numbers to honour legends. New Zealand retired number 11 for Daniel Vettori . This is rare in cricket, but it shows that a number can become more than just a shirt label.
FAQs
1. Whose jersey number is 11 in Indian cricket?
Mohammed Shami wears number 11 for India. Sanju Samson also wears 11 in the IPL, but he wears 9 for India because Shami has 11 .
2. Did any other famous cricketer wear number 11?
Yes. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Glenn McGrath (Australia), and Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) are among the well-known players who wore number 11 .
3. Why does Sanju Samson wear number 9 for India?
Because Mohammed Shami already wears number 11 for India. Samson wears 11 only in the IPL .
4. Has any team retired jersey number 11?
Yes. New Zealand Cricket retired the number 11 shirt in honour of Daniel Vettori in 2019 .
5. Do players wear the same number in all formats?
Not always. Sanju Samson is a clear example: he wears 9 for India and 11 in the IPL. Jersey numbers can vary by team, format, and league .
Conclusion
So, whose jersey number is 11 in cricket? The honest answer is that no single player owns it. Mohammed Shami is the most common answer for Indian fans, and he has made the number his own in international cricket . But Sanju Samson wears it in the IPL, Daniel Vettori had it retired in his honour, and legends like Glenn McGrath and Kumar Sangakkara also carried the number with pride.
The next time you see a player wearing 11, you will know it is not just a random number. It carries history, personal meaning, and in some cases, the legacy of a cricket great.
