Vadodara: Years ago, a disappointed Deepak Hooda had left for Delhi after he scored just eight runs off two selection matches for Baroda team. But he returned on insistence of his coach and went on to captain Baroda Ranji team. The 23-year-old all-rounder will now make his international debut for India as he has been picked up for the T20 matches against Sri Lanka.
"I was expecting a call as the selectors had been watching my performance. They used to tell me to bowl as well. But yes, I am very happy that I have been picked up for the Indian team," Hooda told TOI. "Of course, I am bit nervous and it is good to be under some pressure," he said. Hooda was in reckoning for the Indian jersey after he was recently picked for the India A side. He scored a half century and an unbeaten 40.
"I think my performance in Duleep Trophy, innings against Mumbai Ranji team this season and India A performance got me into the Indian team. It will be a great experience to share the dressing room with senior and experienced players," Hooda said.
Hooda has now joined another Baroda boy Hardik Pandya who is playing for India. He was consistently knocking on the doors of the Indian team after he was awarded best all-rounder of the year in domestic limited over games by the BCCI last year. He has played 31 first class matches in which he scored 2,208 runs at an average of 50.18. His highest score is 293 runs.
Not many know that Hooda has a distinction of scoring a century in his debut match in Under-16, Under-23 and even the four-day Ranji Trophy in 2014. Hooda took over Baroda Ranji team's captaincy this season after the selectors dropped Irfan Pathan but he said that the positive atmosphere created by Irfan helped him. Hooda had represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2014 and was later picked up by the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I was expecting a call as the selectors had been watching my performance. They used to tell me to bowl as well. But yes, I am very happy that I have been picked up for the Indian team," Hooda told TOI. "Of course, I am bit nervous and it is good to be under some pressure," he said. Hooda was in reckoning for the Indian jersey after he was recently picked for the India A side. He scored a half century and an unbeaten 40.
"I think my performance in Duleep Trophy, innings against Mumbai Ranji team this season and India A performance got me into the Indian team. It will be a great experience to share the dressing room with senior and experienced players," Hooda said.
Hooda has now joined another Baroda boy Hardik Pandya who is playing for India. He was consistently knocking on the doors of the Indian team after he was awarded best all-rounder of the year in domestic limited over games by the BCCI last year. He has played 31 first class matches in which he scored 2,208 runs at an average of 50.18. His highest score is 293 runs.
Not many know that Hooda has a distinction of scoring a century in his debut match in Under-16, Under-23 and even the four-day Ranji Trophy in 2014. Hooda took over Baroda Ranji team's captaincy this season after the selectors dropped Irfan Pathan but he said that the positive atmosphere created by Irfan helped him. Hooda had represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2014 and was later picked up by the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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