Team India all-rounder Deepak Hooda wants to cement his place in the T20I team. He expressed would like to bat at number five, as legendary cricketer Virat Kohli has made his mark at number three for India in the format. Hooda has done a good job batting higher up the order in T20I matches, and also for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
The Indian cricketer slammed his maiden T20I century against Ireland earlier this year, playing at number three. He has played four innings at number three for India, scoring 196 runs, at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 166.10. When asked about which batting position he would like to play at for India in T20Is, Deepak Hooda said to Prime Video,
“I would like to bat at 5, we have a legend playing at 3 and I have to be realistic, I can’t get that spot. It’s a problem at times to adapt to batting at 5 or 6, but I have done that role as I am a utility player and need to play according to the situation of the game.”
I want to chip in with my bowling whenever the team needs me: Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda was part of India’s recent T20I series win against the hosts New Zealand. He pulled off a great performance with the ball in the second match, to power India to a comprehensive win. The batting all-rounder picked up four wickets at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. On the back of his performance, India successfully defended a 191-run total, sealing a 65-run victory to secure a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The Hardik Pandya-led team eventually won the series.
The all-rounder expressed that he has worked hard on his bowling over the last three months, even when he was not a part of Team India. He added that he wants to chip in with his all-round skills whenever the team needs him to. Hooda said,
“I am a batting all-rounder, so scoring runs is very important, but I’m working on my bowling as well and want to chip in whenever the team needs me. I have been playing as an all-rounder since my debut, I have worked hard on my bowling over the last 3 months, even when I’m not featuring in the team.”
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