Deepak Hooda played his last Ranji Trophy match nearly three years ago.
He played 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is for India in the past year, in addition to his success in the Indian Premier League for Lucknow Super Giants.
On Tuesday, on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
He celebrated his return to First Class cricket with a century that aided Rajasthan, his new team, in a stunning recovery.
The primary reason the host could reach 310 for five at stumps after being put in is his 133 (187b, 14×4, 1×6).
Rajasthan was 101 for three when Hooda left in the center. Abhijeet Tomar (10), Mahipal Lomror (23) and opener Yash Kothari (58, 84b, 8×4) all returned to the dressing room, where captain Ashok Menaria joined them for a duck as the home team fell to 105 for four.
But newcomer Salman Khan (62 batting, 164 b, 3×4) gave Hooda strong support, and they added 191 for the fifth wicket to frustrate the Kerala bowlers.
However, Hooda became the second victim of the day for off-spinner Jalaj Saxena shortly before the close.
Although Rohan Prem, Kerala’s newly converted opener and comeback man, certainly made the day one to remember.
He beat K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan’s record of 89 matches and became the most capped cricketer for Kerala in the First Class.
According to Rohan’s statement to Sportstar, “I wasn’t aware of that record, but felt very happy when I came to know about it.”
After nearly three years, I am extremely happy to be able to rejoin the Kerala team.
He would be anticipating playing another significant innings – he had two in the group’s success against Jharkhand at Ranchi – when Kerala will bat.
Rohan stated, “The wicket eased out after lunch on the first day.”
We had taken four wickets to put pressure on Rajasthan, but Hooda and Salman batted with determination.
We need to accept their excess wickets as fast as conceivable on the subsequent day.”
Scorecard: Rajasthan vs. Kerala Rajasthan – First Innings:
Abhijeet Tomar c Rahul b Fanoos 10; Yash Kothari b Sijomon 58; Mahipal Lomror b Thampi 23; Deepak Hooda c Fanoos b Jalaj 133; Ashok Menaria c Rahul c Jalaj 0; Salman Khan 62; Manav Suthar 6; 18 more (lb-14, w-4) Total for the five weeks in 87 overs): 310.
Departure of wickets:
1-25, 2-86, 3-101, 4-105, 5-296.
Bowling in Kerala:
Thampi is 15-2-44, Nidheesh is 13-2-38, Fanoos is 18-2-70, Jalaj is 25-3-74, Sijomon is 13-1-50, and Akshay is 3-0-20-0.