Punjab Kings batsman Deepak Hooda wreaked havoc on the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (April 12) as he smashed 64 runs off simply 28 balls towards Rajasthan Royals in PBKS IPL 2021 opener.
Hooda smashed 4 fours and 6 sixes- 52 runs via boundaries and accomplished his half-century in simply 20 balls, thus equaling the record of former India batsman Virender Sehwag and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya within the listing of gamers who’ve hit the quickest fifties towards Rajasthan Royals within the IPL.
Fastest fifties v RR in IPL:
- 19 balls: David Miller, 2014
- 20 balls : Virender Sehwag, 2012
- 20 balls: Hardik Pandya, 2020
- 20 balls: Deepak Hooda, 2021
Also, Hooda’s 20-ball fifty is the second-fastest half-century by an uncapped Indian in IPL. The quickest record is held by Ishan Kishan of Mumbai Indians who had achieved the feat three years in the past.
Fastest 50s by uncapped Indian gamers (IPL)
- 17 balls Ishan Kishan v KKR in 2018
- 20 balls Deepak Hooda v RR in 2021
- 22 balls Deepak Hooda v DD in 2015
- 22 balls Krunal Pandya v DD in 2016
However, Hooda is the primary and solely uncapped participant to smash a half-century in lower than 23 balls twice in IPL historical past and by the way, each of them have come towards RR that too on April 12.
Hooda’s quickest fifties in IPL
- April 12, 2015 – A 22-ball fifty for Rajasthan Royals
- April 12, 2021 – A 20-ball fifty vs Rajasthan Royals
Overall, it was his third fifty in IPL. It can be the fifth-fastest 50 for Punjab; seventh joint quickest in IPL.
Deepak Hooda makes an announcement
Notably, Hooda had a hard time forward of IPL 2021. The 25-year-old was suspended for the season by Baroda cricket physique after he had a spat with state crew captain Krunal Pandya in January which meant he could not play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s in addition to the Vijay Hazare one-dayers.
However, it didn’t have any bearing on his kind or confidence with the bat and on Monday night time confirmed what Baroda had missed in the course of the season by suspending him.
Meanwhile, former Baroda teammate and India quick bowler Irfan Pathan recommended his psychological power and tweeted, “If you want to learn to never back down then read the story of Deepak Hooda’s past few months and watch him bat tonight. Well played buddy! #Fighter #mentallystrong.”
If you need to study to by no means again down then learn the story of Deepak Hooda’s previous few months and watch him bat tonight. Well performed buddy! #Fighter #mentallystrong
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 12, 2021
The right-handed Hooda, who had smashed a 30-ball unbeaten 62 towards Chennai Super Kings within the final aggressive sport he performed earlier than this IPL, again on November 1, 2020, scored a 28-ball 64 (6x6s and 4x4s) on Monday to assist Punjab Kings rating 221/6 in 20 overs towards Rajasthan Royals on Monday.
“I was just reacting to the ball and showing aggressive intent in my batting. I got this role at No. 4 and I am happy to get this role, as I bat at this position in domestic cricket,” stated Hooda who was pushed up the order and despatched forward of Nicholas Pooran.
