It was practically three years in the past that Deepak Hooda performed his final Ranji Trophy match. The previous one yr, nonetheless, noticed him play 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is for India, to not point out his exploits on the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants.
On Tuesday, he celebrated his return to First Class cricket with a century that helped his new workforce, Rajasthan, stage an impressive restoration on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match towards Kerala at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. His 133 (187b, 14×4, 1×6) is the principle motive why the host might attain 310 for 5 at stumps, after being put in.
Rajasthan was 101 for 3 when Hooda walked out within the center. Opener Yash Kothari (58, 84b, 8×4), Abhijeet Tomar (10) and Mahipal Lomror (23) had been all again within the dressing room they usually had been quickly joined by captain Ashok Menaria for a duck, as the house aspect slumped to 105 for 4.
But Hooda discovered staunch assist from the brand new man Salman Khan (62 batting, 164b, 3×4), they usually added 191 for the fifth wicket to frustrate the Kerala bowlers. Shortly earlier than shut, nonetheless, Hooda turned off-spinner Jalaj Saxena’s second sufferer of the day.
It could not have been a very memorable day for Kerala, but it surely actually was one for its newly-converted opener and comeback man Rohan Prem. He turned essentially the most capped First-Class cricketer for Kerala, beating the 89-match document of Okay.N. Ananthapadmanabhan.
READ: Ranji Trophy 2022/23 Day 1 Highlights
“I wasn’t aware of that record, but felt very happy when I came to know of it,” Rohan informed Sportstar. “I am really glad that I could come back to the Kerala team after nearly three years.”
He can be wanting ahead to enjoying one other substantial innings – he had two within the workforce’s win towards Jharkhand at Ranchi – when Kerala will get to bat.
“The wicket eased out after lunch on the first day,” Rohan stated. “We had taken four wickets to put Rajasthan under pressure, but Hooda and Salman batted resolutely. We want to take their remaining wickets as quickly as possible on the second day.”
Rajasthan vs Kerala – Scorecard
Rajasthan – 1st Innings: Yash Kothari b Sijomon 58, Abhijeet Tomar c Rahul b Fanoos 10, Mahipal Lomror b Thampi 23, Deepak Hooda c Fanoos b Jalaj 133, Ashok Menaria c Rahul c Jalaj 0, Salman Khan (batting) 62, Manav Suthar (batting) 6; Extras (lb-14, w-4) 18; Total (for 5 wkts. in 87 overs): 310.
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-86, 3-101, 4-105, 5-296.
Kerala bowling: Thampi 15-2-44-1, Nidheesh 13-2-38-0, Fanoos 18-2-70-1, Jalaj 25-3-74-2, Sijomon 13-1-50-1, Akshay 3-0-20-0.