Mumbai Indians sensation and one of the finds of the Indian Premier League-8, Hardik Pandya has chosen a unique number for his jersey — 228. It holds a special place in Pandya's cricketing career, according to his brother Kunal

Mumbai Indians sensation and one of the finds of the Indian Premier League-8, Hardik Pandya has chosen a unique number for his jersey — 228. It holds a special place in Pandya's cricketing career, according to his brother Kunal.





Hardik Pandya sports jersey No 228 yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

It is Pandya's highest-ever score so far. Baroda-based Pandya scored the double century against Mumbai in an U-16 tournament conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2009. "Hardik was leading Baroda U-16 and were reeling at 23-4, chasing 350-plus against Mumbai.

"Hardik went all out to score 228 in that match and helped Baroda win on the basis of first innings lead. It is his most memorable knock. It is something he doesn't forget. So, when he was given an option to choose a jersey number, he opted for 228," Kunal told mid-day from Baroda yesterday.

Shah Rukh's songs, a hit at Wankhede

Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, may be banned from entering the Wankhede Stadium for five years after an ugly fracas with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and security officials in 2012, but the songs of his films which were played on the high-voltage speakers at yesterday's Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings Qualifier I tie, were a hit with the Wankhede crowd.





Shah Rukh Khan

Peppy tracks from his Bollywood blockbuster movie Chennai Express were played before the start of play. It was enough to get the Wankhede crowd on their toes and get into the groove.

MS 'keeps with one glove in final over

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known to throw surprises. India's limited overs skipper and Chennai Super Kings leader did surprise when he kept wickets with only one glove in the final over bowled by Dwayne Bravo so that there is no time wasted in throwing the ball quickly.





MS Dhoni at the Wankhede yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

For the first three balls, Dhoni smartly tucked his one wicketkeeping glove behind his pants. It certainly helped CSK as MI batters Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh were wary of taking a quick single when Bravo bowled three wide deliveries. He then wore both gloves for the next few balls while standing up. He again kept with one glove in the last two balls off the final over.