IND vs WI: Shreyas Iyer Is Ahead Of Deepak Hooda In India's Pecking Order - Saba Karim

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim reckoned Shreyas Iyer to be ahead of Deepak Hooda in India’s pecking order in the T20I team.

Iyer amassed 94 runs in the five T20I matches against South Africa in June. But hasn’t got enough opportunities in the T20I side with Virat Kohli being around the corner. He was picked in the first T20I against West Indies in Trinidad ahead of Deepak Hooda.

I feel Shreyas Iyer is ahead of Deepak Hooda in the pecking order: Saba Karim

Hooda garnered the attention for his talent with a spectacular ton in the second game against Ireland. Many experts showed flak for dropping the Rajasthan batter from India’s T20I XI.

Although Iyer mustered a nought in the first match, Karim believes the 27-year-old is ahead of Hooda, and hence, should get more opportunities in the upcoming fixtures.

“It is a difficult choice. In the home series against South Africa, Shreyas Iyer batted at No.3-4. I feel Shreyas Iyer is ahead of Deepak Hooda in the pecking order. That’s why he was drafted into the playing XI as soon as he returned to the T20 squad. That being the case, he will have to be given a few more chances in the upcoming games,” Karim told India News.

“One has to remember that Shreyas has shown good form in ODIs, so that’s why he is being backed,” he added.

Deepak Hooda could be a strong contender for the T20 World Cup: Reetinder Sodhi

Former Indian batting all-rounder Reetinder Sodhi reiterated Karim’s views on the selection between Iyer and Hooda. Sodhi believes Iyet needs a few chances but also deemed Hooda a potential for the T20 World Cup squad.

“Little hard on Deepak Hooda, but it is difficult to fit him in. Shreyas Iyer needs to get enough chances because he is in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup. Hooda is waiting in the wings. I am sure he will get his chance at some point. He has shown in the few games that he has played that he could also be a strong contender for the T20 World Cup,” Sodhi said.

India will meet West Indies in the second T20I match at the Warner Park in St Kitts on Monday.

Also Read: IND vs WI: It Is Odd To Have Shreyas Iyer Play T20 Cricket When The Team Also Includes Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, And Ishan Kishan – Venkatesh Prasad