Ranji Trophy: Deepak Hooda smashes unbeaten 190 as Baroda score 358/6 vs Punjab

New Delhi: IPL star Deepak Hooda hit a career-best unbeaten 190 as Baroda reached a healthy 358 for six in 90 overs against Punjab in a Ranji Trophy group A encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla, here today.

Hooda, whose sparkling 215-ball knock had 16 boundaries and three sixes, added 178 runs for the third wicket with Dhiren Mistry (76) as Punjab bowlers toiled hard throughout the day.

Barring Sandeep Sharma (4/64 in 20 overs), none of the other bowlers could create an impression as skipper Yuvraj Singh himself bowled five overs.

The other contributor was Pinal Shah (42) with whom Hooda added 80 runs. He also shared an unbroken 59-run stand with Swapnil Singh (29 batting).

Yusuf Pathan (0) edged one from Sandeep to Geetansh Khera behind the stumps.

The day however belonged to Hooda, who has played for Rajasthan Royals and was with the Sunrisers Hyderabad during the last season.

A clean striker of the ball, the right hander, whose previous best in first-class cricket was 142, was particularly severe on Siddharth Kaul, hitting on both sides of the wicket.

He was severe on left-arm left-arm spinner Vinay Choudhary (0/119 in 25 overs) using his feet to good effect.

He also lofted Gurkeerat Singh for maximums as the Punjab bowlers had to go through the grind.

Brief Scores: Baroda 358/6 (Deepak Hooda 190 batting, Dhiren Mistry 76, Sandeep Sharma 4/64) vs Baroda.