Rescuing India from a precarious situation in the series opener on Tuesday, Indian middle-order batter Deepak Hooda played a stellar knock against Asia Cup holders Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The versatile batter top-scored for Team India as the Hardik Pandya-led side registered their first win of the 2023 season. Hooda-inspired India edged past Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series.
Hooda smashed a quick-fire 41 off just 23 balls in the recently concluded contest between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium. Batting at the tricky No. 6 position, an in-form Hooda teamed up with lower-order batter Axar Patel, who played a crucial cameo in helping Team India post a match-winning total against the Islanders.
"I was pretty clear in my mind that if we lose early wickets we have to build a partnership and when you are batting lower down the order at No.6, for a situation like that, being a cricketer, you have to be ready for that. A collapse can happen at any time. (But) I don't think it was a collapse in the true sense as we were in a good position. Yes, we lost one or two extra wickets but I think that is the role of a No. 6 and No. 7 batter (to come and bat with confidence) be it the first or the second match. It's a good win," Hooda told reporters in a press conference.
While Axar scored 31* off 20 balls, Hooda remained unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls as India defeated Sri Lanka in the low-scoring thriller at Wankhede. Hooda arrived at the crease when Pandya-led Team India was reduced to 77 for 4. The swashbuckling batter smoked two sixes off spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the 16th over.
{{/usCountry}}While Axar scored 31* off 20 balls, Hooda remained unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls as India defeated Sri Lanka in the low-scoring thriller at Wankhede. Hooda arrived at the crease when Pandya-led Team India was reduced to 77 for 4. The swashbuckling batter smoked two sixes off spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the 16th over.
{{/usCountry}}"You have to keep your intent high and hit the ball when it is in your area. It was the perfect time for me and Axar to target him. We were able to execute it well," he added. Hooda smashed four sixes and his entertaining knock guided India to a defendable total of 162. The Indian all-rounder was named the Player of the Match for his batting heroics. Team India will meet Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I on Thursday.