Deepak Hooda picked a wicket off his very first ball in the second ODI against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval. The all-rounder broke a 65-run opening stand between Kyle Mayers and Shai Hope. Riding on the latter’s 13th 50-over ton, the hosts put up a 311-run target. 

While Hooda impressed with his figures of 42/1 in nine overs, the 27-year-old’s jersey sent the internet buzzing. Fans noticed that the Lucknow Super Giants star was wearing someone else’s jersey (no.24), as it had a brown tape over the name.

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Initially many speculated that Hooda was wearing No 24 because of his ‘friendship’ with Krunal Pandya. The latter also dons the same number. 

Hooda and Pandya were involved in a spat in 2021. The former accused the latter of abusing him during the domestic season. This had resulted in Hooda leaving Baroda’s bio-bubble ahead of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. He was suspended.

However, the two seemed to have moved on and were seen playing for LSG in IPL 2022. 

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However, the jersey Hooda was wearing on Sunday had nothing to do with Pandya. The brown tape was later ripped and fans found out that it was pacer Prasidh Krishna’s. The fast bowler is not taking part in the second ODI, as Avesh Khan replaced him in the XI.

Meanwhile, opener Shai Hope showed his class with a magnificent century while skipper Nicholas Pooran went on a six-hitting spree as the West Indies produced a solid batting display to post 311.

Hope, who was dismissed cheaply in first ODI, played the role of the anchor to perfection as he added 65 runs off 55 balls for the opening wicket with Kyle Mayers (39), before forging another 62 with Shamarh Brooks (35).

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While Mayers and Brooks showed promise, Hope found his perfect ally in skipper Pooran, who showed his big-hitting prowess during his 74 off 77 balls with the help of six maximums and one four. The two shared a 117-run stand off 126 balls.

Hope constructed his 115-run innings well, focusing on building partnership and exploded in the end. His 135-ball knock comprised eight fours and three maximums.

Spin duo of Axar Patel (1/40) and Deepak Hooda (1/42) were the best bowlers on display, while Yuzvendra Chahal (1/69) too scalped one but was expensive.

Mohammed Siraj (0/47) was decent but Avesh Khan had a forgettable ODI debut, while Shardul Thakur (3/54) made amends in the back end with three wickets after conceding 13 in the first over.