Explained: The mystery behind Hardik Pandya’s old jersey number 228

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya used to wear the jersey number 288 in limited-overs cricket but not many were aware of the reason behind the number until Mohandas Mennon spilled the beans on Thursday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) posted a picture Pandya wearing his previous jersey with the number 228 on the back and asked fans on social media why he chose that number.

“Can you tell why @hardikpandya7 used to sport a jersey with the number 228?” the ICC posted.

Statistician Mohandas Menon revealed the reason behind Pandya’s number of choice.

Can you tell why @hardikpandya7 used to sport a jersey with the number 228? pic.twitter.com/5ZZdTHb4xu

— ICC (@ICC) May 21, 2020

Captaining the Baroda U-16 team, Pandya had scored 228 against Mumbai U-16 during a Vijay Merchant U-16 tournament match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Nagothane on December 9, 2009. It is still the highest individual score of his career and the only double hundred he has hit till date.

Pandya led from the frot by batting for 8 hours and scored 228 off 391 balls to rescue his side after they were reeling at 60 for 4. The knock made him famous overnight in Vadodara with the local newspaper even carrying his picture the next day.

“That was his first season and that was the start of his journey. Later, he made it to the U-19 side and the transformation was smooth,” Pandya’s coach Jitendra had said in an interview.

“In that match, he took five wickets in the first innings. That’s how, his journey as an all-rounder began,” Jitendra said.

Pandya no longer wears the 228 on his back and has been sporting No. 33 on his jersey since 2016.