Deepak Hooda has recently expressed his wish to play under MS Dhoni’s captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2022. Hooda, however, was part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) over the last two seasons of the IPL but was not retained by them before the upcoming mega auction. As he has been selected in Team India’s ODI squad for the series against West Indies, he could be one of the key players at the auction as well.
During a discussion on India News, Deepak Hooda was asked if he has any favourite team in the IPL and he named CSK as his favourite IPL side. He also revealed that he has had several interactions with MS Dhoni over the last few years.
Deepak Hooda claimed: “There is nothing like that. As of now, Deepak is not waiting for the auction on the 12th and 13th, he is just waiting for the 6th. There is no team as such, I just want to play. But my personal favorite team is the Chennai Super Kings. I am like a kid who wants to play under MS Dhoni.”
READ HERE: Gary Kirsten all set to work with Hardik Pandya
“I am MS Dhoni’s die-hard fan, I like his leadership as well. I have spoken to him many times. When I had come to the Indian team earlier as well, Dhoni bhai was also there. Then also I used to talk to him and after that, whenever we have met we have spoken,” he again shared.
Deepak Hooda also shared his learnings while playing under Anil Kumble for the Punjab Kings. He was pleased with the faith Kumble and the rest of the Punjab Kings management showed in him for the last couple of seasons. He smashed 261 runs in the 19 matches he played for the Punjab Kings as well.
READ HERE: India will struggle if Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma don’t score, says Mohammad Hafeez
He added: “I got to learn a lot from Anil Kumble over the last two years. He is himself a legend, he has 1000 international wickets. Obviously, even if you talk a sentence or word with him, it is a learning for you. I was able to handle pressure better because Anil Sir was there.”
“I matured a lot in the last two years. I was in the midst of very good people, Anil Sir is one among them, who improved me mentally as well as my game. I had gone after having not played domestic cricket but still played the first game in the IPL. The way he used to explain my role, I used to be extremely clear,” Deepak Hooda concluded.
