Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Saba Karim reckons Shreyas Iyer is ahead of Deepak Hooda in the pecking order for the Indian team. Iyer recently struggled to get going against England as he was tested with short-pitched deliveries.

However, the right-hander bounced back stronger in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. Iyer scored 161 runs in three matches at an average of 53.67 and a strike rate of 99.38 and delivered the goods while batting in the middle order. But he was dismissed without troubling the scorers in the first T20I against the Windies.

On the other hand, Deepak Hooda has also impressed with his skills. Hooda has shown the skills to hit the ground running. The right-hander was a consistent performer for Lucknow Super Giants as he had scored 451 runs in 15 matches at an average of 32.21 and a strike rate of 136.66.

Hooda also recently scored a magnificent hundred while playing against Ireland in the second T20I.

Saba Karim said while talking to India News Sports, “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 added: “One has to remember that Shreyas has shown good form in ODIs, so that’s why he is being backed.”

On the other hand, former Indian all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi believes it is little hard on Deepak Hooda but at the same time it is difficult to fit him in the final XI.

“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.”