Veteran cricketer, Dinesh Karthik, is pushing for the promotion of Deepak Hooda in the batting order of the Indian T20I team. Karthik believes that Hooda is best suited to bat at number three, citing his successful stint in that position for Lucknow Super Giants in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. The cricketer also mentioned that Hooda’s only international century came when he was given an opportunity to bat at number three against Ireland.
However, despite this performance, the team management has continued to back Hooda as a finisher, but Karthik feels that this position is a challenge for him. The veteran cricketer stated that Hooda fancies himself as a top-order batter and is most comfortable taking on the opposition in the powerplay.
In light of Hooda’s decent performance in the recent series against Sri Lanka, Karthik feels that this would be a great opportunity for the 27-year-old to prove himself as a top-order batter. He highlighted that it is difficult to be consistent in the middle order, especially in positions 5, 6 and 7.
Karthik believes that Hooda’s career took a turn for the better when he switched from Baroda to Rajasthan and rediscovered himself as a top-order batter. The veteran cricketer stated that Hooda’s preference for batting in the powerplay makes him a strong candidate for the top order.
