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Deepak Hooda: (Image Source: Twitter)
On the back of stellar performances in the Indian T20 league and for the Indian team, Deepak Hooda was awarded a place in India’s squad for the 20-20 World Cup 2022. Though, he got the opportunity to play only one game in the event. Hooda has shown outstanding form this year, both in the Indian T20 League and for the Indian Team.
However, his stellar performances have come mostly while batting at the top of the order. Hooda has struggled to score runs while batting lower-down-the order. But, he has realized that there is no spot available for him at the top of the order with Virat Kohli batting at number three in the playing XI.
Ahead of the start of the third T20I against New Zealand, Deepak Hooda said that he was happy to bat at number five as he can’t replace Virat Kohli at number three in the batting order.
"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 (smiles). 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," Hooda said.
Former Indian cricketer, Mohammed Kaif felt that Deepak Hooda should be firm in his stance if he wants to bat at number three. He shouldn’t get scared by the big names in the batting line-up and tell the management about his preferred slot to bat at.
“ Woh thoda atak gaye the, unko atakna nahi hai, unko bolna hai ki mujhe upar khelna hai. I want to do well for India, mujhe khelna hai. KL Rahul k jagah ana hai mujhe, Virat Kohli ko replace karna hai. Unko bolna padega, woh waha darr gaye thoda. Woh bol gaye top 3 nahi main neche hi theek hu. Unhe ghabrana nahi hai. Mujhe top three mein khelna hai, ye agar unki mansikta hogi toh hi unke liye faida hai.
(He hesitated there, he shouldn't do that. He should say 'I want to bat higher up the order. I want to do well for India. I want to play in place of KL Rahul, I will replace Virat Kohli.' He needs to say this without getting frightened. He can only do well for India if he has that sort of mindset)," said Kaif on Prime Video.
Meanwhile, India have won the T20 series against New Zealand by a 1-0 margin. The Men in Blue will now lock horns with the Blackcaps in a three-match ODI series, starting on Friday.