Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Deepak Hooda (64) and skipper KL Rahul (91) batted brilliantly as they posted a huge total of 221 runs on the board in their opening game of IPL 2021 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on 12 April.
Hooda was really impressed by Rahul’s batting as the skipper score 91 off just 50 deliveries and talked about how batting with the wicket-keeper batsman for the first time was really amazing.
IPL 2021: Cricket fraternity react to Deepak Hooda's whirlwind knock, PBKS makes 221/6
“As a captain and as a senior player, KL Bhai was very supportive, he supported me and backed me. I like KL bhai's batting, I like it very much, the way he looks forward to a game, the way he approaches a game. It was the first time I batted with KL bhai and it was fun batting with him,” Hooda said in a video posted by PBKS on Twitter.
Even though the Rajasthan-based franchise came close to winning the match, thanks to the brilliant century by skipper Sanju Samson, it was Hooda’s attacking innings that set the tone for his team’s victory.
While talking about his innings, the 25-year-old said, “My mindset was pretty aggressive. If the ball is in my area. I will go for it. I feel blessed about the innings but at the same time, I really want to thank Punjab Kings, the way they have supported me, made me bat up the order and when I delivered there, it feels nice.”
???? | Let's hear it from the man himself whose swashbuckling knock is currently the ????️ of the town! ????#SaddaPunjab #IPL2021 #PunjabKings @HoodaOnFire pic.twitter.com/HDanA4vd0Z
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 14, 2021
The Punjab-based franchise had lost a similar last-ball thriller against the same opposition last year in UAE, but this time around, they managed to keep their cool and started their IPL 14 campaign with a win.
After Rajasthan Royals, KL Rahul and Co. will be taking the field against three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on 16 April at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
(With ANI inputs)
