IND vs NZ: “Would Like To Bat At 5, We Have A Legend At 3 And I Have To Be Realistic, I Can't Get That Spot” – Deepak Hooda

The 27-year-old batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda has said that he would prefer batting at the No.5 spot for the India National Cricket Team because he can’t get the No.3 spot as it is “legend” Virat Kohli’s spot.

Deepak Hooda made his T20I debut for the Men In Blue in February this year and since then he has been a regular member of the side. However, he has not regularly featured in the playing XI and is mainly considered a backup player.

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Hooda was also a part of India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad, but he got the opportunity to play only one game against South Africa in Perth where he was cleaned up for a duck.

Ahead of the third and final T20I match between India and New Zealand, Hooda was asked about his preferred batting position amongst No.3 and No.5. The 27-year-old chose No.5 and said that he has to be realistic.

“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,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

I am a batting all-rounder, so scoring runs is very important, but I’m working on my bowling as well – Deepak Hooda

Hooda was cleaned up for a golden duck in the second T20I against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, November 20. However, with the ball, he was highly impactful as he bagged 4 wickets. He dismissed Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi.

Meanwhile, Deepak Hooda said that being a batting all-rounder he must contribute runs, but he is also working a lot on his spin bowling. He said:

“I am a batting all-rounder, so scoring runs is very important, but I’m working on my bowling as well and want to chip in whenever the team needs me. I have been playing as an all-rounder since my debut, I have worked hard on my bowling over the last 3 months, even when I’m not featuring in the team.”

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