Dinesh Karthik wants team management to promote Deepak Hooda in T20Is


image-ldh6fd3bDeepak Hooda celebrates his century against Ireland (BCCI/Twitter)

Dinesh Karthik has backed all-rounder Deepak Hooda to bat up the order for India in T20Is. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman urged the Indian team management to back Hooda, considering the 27-year-old scored his only T20I century while batting at number three against Ireland.

Karthik believes Hooda can attack in powerplay

Karthik, who last represented India during the 2022 T20 World Cup, recently stated that Deepak Hooda has done really well at the top of the order. The senior cricketer cited Hooda’s sublime run with the bat for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022, where he minted 451 runs across 15 innings at an average of 32.21.

The all-rounder also struck a rare T20I ton against Ireland last year, while batting at number three. Despite his batting dexterity at the top, the team management continues to utilise him as a finisher.

Even though he scored a match-winning 41* against Sri Lanka earlier this month, Karthik believes the youngster is better off at the top because it is difficult to be consistent as a lower-order batter.

While speaking on Cricbuzz, the 37-year-old said:

“To be consistent is the hardest thing at 5, 6, 7, especially at 6 and 7. So Deepak Hooda, even though he has done really well at No.3, for some reason they feel he can do the job at No.6 and 7.”

“He fancies himself as a top-order batter. He likes batting in the powerplay. He likes to take the game on. But right now, in the recently-concluded Sri Lanka series, he did decently well at No.6 and it was a great opportunity for him.”


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