IND vs ZIM: Deepak Hooda To Achieve This Milestone If India Win First Two ODIs Against Zimbabwe
Published - 17 Aug 2022, 09:09 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:12 AM
Indian batter Deepak Hooda is on the verge of creating a remarkable feat in the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Team India are scheduled to play three ODI matches against Regis Chakabva and his men with the first match commencing on Thursday in Harare. The three ODI matches, which are part of the ICC World Cup Super League, won’t matter much to India but for Zimbabwe, it will in terms of the 2023 World Cup qualification.
KL Rahul to lead India in Zimbabwe ODIs
India by virtue of being the hosts have earned direct qualification for the marquee event. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are placed in the 12th spot with 35 points.
India are playing a second-string squad comprising young players under the captaincy of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan as the Karnatka batter’s deputy.
Deepak Hooda to achieve a remarkable milestone in ODI series
Hooda is part of the 16-member squad that will face Zimbabwe in three 50-over games. The Rohtak-born player has impressed everyone with his all-round brilliance in the last few months. He also had a terrific outing in the IPL 2022 with the Lucknow Super Giants.
Hooda has so far played 14 international matches (nine T20Is and five ODIs) for the Indian team since making his debut against the West Indies in the first ODI in Ahmedabad.
The amusing part of the Rajasthan all-rounder’s start to international career is that India have won all 14 games in which he featured.
Only Romania’s Satvik Nadigotla has won his first 15 international games after his debut. If India are successful in defeating Zimbabwe in the first ODI and given that Hooda is part of the playing XI, the 27-year-old will match the Romanian player’s tremendous milestone. Hooda can also leapfrog Nadigotla if India seals the series in the first two games itself.
The first ODI between Zimbabwe and India will be played on Thursday at the Harare Sports Club. India lead the head-to-head record 51-10 against Zimbabwe in 63 ODIs, while two games ended in a tie.
