IPL 2018: I Am Ready for Any Challenge - Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda started his Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign on a brilliant note. After not getting a chance neither with the bat nor owing to his off-spin in the season-opener, the highly-rated allrounder proved his worth in the very following game.

Against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), he scored an unbeaten 32 off 25 – to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), to a thrilling one-wicket win.

But the performance was not the precursor of the performances that were to follow. Hooda failed to build on his fine start, scoring 5*, 5, 1 in the following games.

The 23-year-old Hooda also failed to make any significant contribution with the ball. But despite his indifferent start to the season, the exciting cricketer is not perturbed by it.

Calling himself a floater, the Baroda star said he is ready for any kind of challenge.

“It is part and parcel of our game. For me, the more ups and downs I face it is better for me. I have played four different roles in four different matches. I am thinking that I am a floater. I am ready for any challenge,” Hooda said.

Prior to the IPL, Hooda had enjoyed a good time on the cricket field. In the 2018 Syed Mushtaq Ali, he was the leading run-getter for Baroda with 226 runs at an average of 32.28 and a strike-rate of 150.66.

Eventually, the performance helped him earn his maiden India call-up for the Tri-nation Twenty20 series Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka.

Hooda further spoke on the culture of Baroda team, saying that the association and the senior players back the youngsters which help them to thrive.

“The players are respected and there is a tremendous support. There are good people in the association. They have been backing young players and senior players like Yusuf Pathan, Munaf Patel back batsmen and bowlers. I, Hardik (Pandya) and Krunal (Pandya) are well-matured. Baroda is a small state and we are the seniors. I have not played much, but the additional responsibility gives me confidence,” Hooda said.

High-flying Sunrisers will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday (April 29) afternoon.

In their last two games, the Kane Williamson-led side defended totals of 118 and 132 against Mumbai Indians and (MI and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) respectively. Those performances firmly cemented their reputation as the best bowling side of the 2018 IPL.

When asked about it, Deepak Hooda said that immense self-belief is the reason behind the team’s success.

“We were bowling very well in the last year and the year before that (2016 title). In the last couple of seasons, the bowling line-up has been the same. The core bowling group is intact and that has given the team immense self-belief. All 11 players have the confidence,” Hooda concludes.

Also, Read: IPL 2018: Watch Ravindra Jadeja Pouches a Brilliant Catch