With some key players, including captain Virat Kohli, given a break, young Baroda all-rounder Deepak Hooda is optimistic of making his International debut in the upcoming T20 tri-nation series in Sri Lanka.
Hooda was first picked in the Indian squad for the three-match bilateral T20 series versus Sri Lanka held last December at home, but did not get a game.
The 22-year-old Rohtak-born player has been chosen again in the T20 squad, to be led by Rohit Sharma, and this time he hopes to get a game.
With senior pros like Kohli and M.S. Dhoni rested for the series, chances of youngsters like Hooda being given a chance in the tri-series, which kicks off from March 6 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, have brightened.
“This is an important series. I did not get a chance (to play) in the first series (in which I was selected), I hope that I will now get a chance and I am prepared for it. I will give my 110 per cent,” Hooda told PTI on Friday.
Hooda, a right-handed batsman and right-arm off break bowler, has so far played 31 First Class games for Baroda in which he has amassed 2208 runs. He has also taken seven wickets.