Deepak Hooda starred with the bat in India’s thrilling two-run victory over Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (January 4).
Batting at No. 6, Hooda slammed 41 not out off 23 balls with 1 four and 4 sixes, propelling the hosts to 162/5 in 20 overs.
When Hooda arrived in the middle, the Men in Blue were struggling at 77/4 in the 11th over. Amid the pressure situation, he added 68 runs for the sixth wicket with Akshar Patel (31* off 20 balls) to take the home team to a defendable total.
For his effort, Deepak Hooda earned the 'Player-of-the-Match' award and he also received rich praise from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
According to Pathan, Hooda can be a good option for India’s 2023 ODI World Cup team and he suggested the team management to back the batting all-rounder.
"Playing in India, a batting allrounder always helps the team, which is why he should be a big option for the ODI World Cup. We won the 2011 ODI World Cup in India because we had quite a few batters who could bowl. Similarly, we won the 1983 ODI & 2007 T20 World Cups because we had allrounders in those teams. So, if we have guys like Hooda who can contribute with both bat and ball, it will be an advantage for us. As a fast bowling allrounder, Hardik Pandya is worth his weight in gold, but in Hooda, you can have a second-best option," Irfan Pathan told TOI in an exclusive chat.
"This is why he's regularly getting opportunities in white-ball cricket. The team management is backing him with an aim to use him in the ODI World Cup," he added.
During his unbeaten knock in the first T20I, Deepak Hooda tackled Sri Lanka’s world-class spinners brilliantly.
"In the 50-over World Cup, we will need a guy like him who can play spin well in the middle over, someone who can manoeuvre the strike and hit those big shots as well," Pathan stated.
"He's a tough lad. Like all Jats, he's a strong character. He's got a good physique as well. He's seen ups and downs in his life and worked hard to get here. When you have a kid like that, who has come up the hard way, who's seen so much, and playing so well at 27, it means that he's at the peak of his career. The Indian team can take advantage of it," he further remarked.
(With TOI inputs)
