India vs Sri Lanka: When you’re hitting the ball in 6th, you need to be ready for the fall, says Deepak Hooda | Cricket News
Hooda comes to India precariously placed at 77-4 and 23-ball 41 with his four six taking India to a defendable total of 162.
His efforts earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Asked if there was any pressure on him as he came on for a crucial part of the half with India having lost the top and middle order, Hooda said, “I was thinking pretty well It’s clear that if we lose early, we have to build a partnership and when you’re down in sixth place, in such a situation, as a cricketer, you have to be ready for that. That. The collapse can happen at any time.
“(But) I don’t think it’s a real collapse because we’re in a good position. Yes, we lost another goal or two but I think that’s the role of the number six and the number. Seven hitters (come and hit the ball with confidence) whether it’s the first game or the second game. It was a good win,” Hooda added in a post-match press conference.
Hooda feels he has to respect the situation and play accordingly but in the position he is hitting, usually he needs to be a good finisher.
“You have to play the right racquet. You have to give the team a good total and that’s my mindset as a pitcher. As a number six hitter, if you’re playing. in that position, you have to end the game. So that’s the only thing going through my head.”
Hooda said he was able to play free after the spinners virtually choked the top and middle hitters as Wanindu Hasaranga had almost completed his pass quota and the batter had also settled.
“Initially, the situation didn’t allow for a strong hit, but it was his (Hasaranga’s) last turn and then he also hit the loose ball. In a T20 game you have to keep that intention. If You get the ball in the right area, you have to smash it. Axar Patel and luckily it was well done,” he added.
The tough all-rounder also admitted that the home side could score a few more runs.
“The (team) meeting hasn’t happened yet, but we were definitely 10-12 runs short. But in the end, we had a good total,” Hooda said.
He feels that the Indian smashers have a hard time at first because the Wankhede surface doesn’t have much frost and the ball tends to hit the club more slowly.
“Generally, there was fog on Wankhede (field), but in the first innings there was not much fog, so the game was a bit slow. But the way the openers started and then we finished the game. fight strongly and that’s why the game is in demand,” he concluded.
