India’s top-order batter, Deepak Hooda received the player of the series award after his back-to-back match-winning performances. The Lucknow Super Giants batter, who has been in stunning form was asked to open the bat in the first game in place of Ruturaj Gaikwad, and played a brilliant knock of 47 off 29 balls in a rain-marred game. The batter did not stop there and hit a magnificent 104 off just 57 balls in his second T20I and managed to stitch a record-breaking partnership of 176 runs with Sanju Samson.

Speaking at the press conference after the series, Deepak Hooda revealed that he had not opened at any level before this, but once an opportunity is given, he had no intention of saying no.

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After the series win, as per the quotes in India Today, Deepak Hooda said, “Leave international, I have never opened in my life. (Chuckles) But yes, being a top-order batsman, you have to take on the challenges that you are presented with, you have to cope with them. You do not have an option, and if you do not have an option then why don’t you go out there like a warrior. That’s how I think. I was ready for that and things were working my way. I am happy about that.”

When asked about if he is satisfied with his match-winning performances, Deepak Hooda said that it was important to remain grounded. 

Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson claim the #1 spot 👏#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/l3nF8lsWQE

— ICC (@ICC) June 29, 2022

Indian team under the tutelage of Rahul Dravid is yet to finalize the T20 World Cup 2022 squad and Hooda’s knock and his ability to score runs all across the fences provides a lot of flexibility to the batting unit. Asked about his approach against the short balls, Hooda revealed that he loves to take them on.

Talking about the same, Deepak Hooda said, “I like short balls. When you go to Australia, or you play very good competitive cricket, that’s where they bowl at you.”

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India would now be moving to England to play a white-ball tour after the rescheduled Test match. Dravid has said before that he would like to finalize the 18-20 people for the ICC tournament in Australia later this month and the England tour would be a litmus test for many cricketers in the Indian squad.