IPL 2022: Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda, who spat ugly last year, hugged after the latter made a catch for the Lucknow Super Giants in Monday’s season opener against the Gujarat Titans.
IPL 2022: Enemies become friends as Krunal and Deepak embrace as LSG teammates (AFP Photo)
The Indian Premier League has often proved to be a platform for cricketers to get to know one another well. Some much-discussed rivals have become friends sharing a dressing room in India’s T20 league. Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds were the prime example of national team rivals ditching the hatchet and working together in the IPL.
On Monday, it was time for Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda to bury the hatchet as they turned up for the Lucknow Super Giants in the opener of the 2022 IPL against the Gujarat Titans. The former Baroda team-mates embraced after Hooda Shubman sacked Gill in Gujarat’s chase of 159 at Wankhede Stadium.
Krunal applauded Deepak’s catch as the left-hander patted the all-rounder after catching in the first over.
IPL 2022, GT vs LSG live updates
Video of Krunal and Deepak embracing at the iconic venue went viral as fans took to social media. If you’re wondering what’s so special about two teammates hugging after a wicket, this is it ugly spit between Krunal and Deepak which made headlines last year.
BEST HUG OF THE DECADE.
Hooda x Krunal #GTvLSG#TataIPL2022 pic.twitter.com/7OSPNPxx5V
— Neel Patel (@NeelPatel189) March 28, 2022
Hooda had a tumultuous last season at Baroda and was suspended after leaving the team’s bio-bubble ahead of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament after a falling out with team captain Krunal. Hooda claimed that he was “bullied” by Krunal, which is why he left.
Notably, Hooda left the Baroda State team and joined Rajasthan for the domestic white ball tournament earlier this year.
Earlier in the day, Deepak Hooda led the Lucknow Super Giants’ comeback after they were reduced to 32/4 after a stunning New Ball spell from Mohammed Shami. Hooda hit 55 of just 41 balls, smashing 2 sixes and 6 borders.
Hooda sewed an 87-run stand with 22-year-old Ayush Badoni, who made his IPL debut for Lucknow on Monday.
The Baroda all-rounder has been in top form in the recent past. Hooda made his India debut earlier this year in the ODI series against West Indies at home and was part of the T20I squad for the following series in Sri Lanka.
