Former India player backs Deepak Hooda to retain his place in the Indian Playing XI

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Deepak Hooda has done enough to retain his place at number 3 in the Indian T20I squad and should feature in the starting XI against England. Hooda was extremely impressive during the latest series against Ireland and Chopra wants to see him bat more at the number 3 position.

Hooda even scored a century in the second T20I against Ireland in Dublin and was selected as the ‘Player of the Series’ for his brilliant performances in the two-match T20I series. The 27-year-old opened the innings as Ruturaj Gaikwad was out injured and he went on to make the most of the opportunity.

Deepak Hooda smashed 47 not out off just 29 deliveries in the first match. He went on to follow it up with a breathtaking century, and scored 104 off 57 balls in the second match, while batting at the number 3 slot.

For a player who wasn’t even around the scheme of things for the national team almost a year back, Hooda has shown plenty of promise. He’s a player who never backs down from a challenge and shows up to fight in every single game. He also continued his strong form during the recent warm-up match against Derbyshire after scoring a fluent 59.

Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has been left extremely impressed by Deepak Hooda’s cricket and while previewing the first T20I encounter, which will be played between India and England at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton, Chopra heaped plenty of praise on Hooda’s aggression and form.

“I will stick with Deepak Hooda at No. 3. I am not going to make a change because he batted really well (against Ireland). He scored a hundred and almost got fifty in the other game. He was absolutely outstanding.”

Deepak Hooda made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year. He scored 172 runs at a strike rate of 168.62 in the five matches against them. Hooda has also played two ODIs and has amassed 55 runs.

While Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan would be the usual openers, Aakash Chopra also shared his choices for the middle-order slots.

“I would play Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) at 4, Hardik Pandya at 5 and Dinesh Karthik at 6. Axar Patel had played in the last match and the series before that. He could come in again (at No.7). He and Yuzi Chahal can be the two spinners.”