Deepak Hooda, who recently replaced Irfan Pathan as the captain of Baroda in Ranji Trophy has now got his first call for the Indian cricket team. The all-rounder said that he has learned a lot from veteran cricketer Yuvraj Singh.
The 22-year-old has played with Yuvraj in Indian Premier League (IPL) for the same franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. "Look, you get a lot to learn from Yuvi Paa (Yuvraj Singh). All the way, he used to tell me how (how to play), how to bat at different situations, he always spoke about my strengths, told me about my weaknesses, how to react to a bowler, how to take the team ahead," Hooda said, as per Times of India quotes.
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Last year in Ranji Trophy, Hooda has scored 293 against a Yuvraj-led Punjab side. And in the same match, Yuvraj too had hit a double hundred.
"Yuvi Paa is like a role model for me. And in the two years, I have learned a lot from him and will apply them," he added.
Hooda has scored 2,208 runs in 31 first-class matches. He was on the top of the world when BCCI announced the T20 squad for series against Sri Lanka.
"My feeling (at the moment) is very good. It is a dream comes true for my family. I am feeling good," he said.
Hooda is keen to learn from the likes of former Indian captain MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who will be captaining the side.
"I will try and learn maximum things (after being with the team). I will observe how Dhoni bhai (MS Dhoni), Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma), and all other players react (to situations), and that will be a learning," he added.
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Hooda, who was part of the India A team that played against New Zealand A, also felt that being an all-rounder helps him.
"Yes, I being an all-rounder will obviously benefit me. I am an all-rounder and presently doing both the things (batting and bowling) good. I am feeling confident about my batting and bowling. I will give my 110 per cent," said the right-arm off-break bowler and right-handed batsman.
He "idolizes" former English cricketer Kevin Peterson.
"To be honest, I very much admire Kevin Peterson. When I have started watching cricket, I admired Peterson, for the way he played," Hooda signed off.
