Why Hardik Pandya Used To Wear Jersey No. 228? Here's An Interesting Story

image-lrbsi3ywHardik Pandya once scored a 228 for Baroda U16 out of a total of 359 against Mumbai U-16. (x.com)

Cricket fans have long been curious about the significance of jersey number 228 worn by India's all-rounder, Hardik Pandya during his early days in international cricket. On 21 May 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a picture of Pandya donning the number 228 jersey, sparking interest and prompting fans to seek answers.


The story about Hardik's jersey no 228

Delving into the backstory, it was revealed that the number 228 holds a special place in Pandya's cricketing career. The revelation came from none other than cricket statistician Mohandas Mennon, who disclosed that Pandya's association with this particular number dates back to a memorable innings in the Vijay Merchant U-16 tournament in 2009.



At that time, Pandya captained the Baroda U-16 team, facing off against Mumbai U-16 at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Nagothane on December 9, 2009. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pandya played a stellar innings, scoring an impressive 228 runs – a knock that remains the highest individual score of his career to date.

The match saw Baroda reeling at 60 for 4 when Pandya, leading from the front, batted for a staggering 8 hours, facing 391 balls to rescue his team. His outstanding performance not only etched his name in the cricketing records but also made him an overnight sensation in Vadodara, with local newspapers featuring his picture the very next day.

Reflecting on this crucial juncture in Pandya's career, his coach, Jitendra, shared insights in an interview, stating that the innings marked the beginning of Pandya's journey as a cricketing all-rounder. Notably, Pandya not only showcased his batting skills but also took five wickets in the first innings, setting the foundation for his transformation into an all-rounder.

Pandya no longer adorns the number 228 on his jersey, having switched to number 33 in 2016. Currently, a key player in the Indian cricket team, Pandya has represented the Indian team in 11 Test matches, 86 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 92 T20I matches.