The veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik believes that the team management should promote Deepak Hooda up in the batting order as he doesn’t identify himself as a finisher in the shortest format of the game. He has done tremendously well batting at number three for Lucknow Super Giants in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League and Karthik believes that it his ideal position in T20Is.
Interestingly, he hit his only international century when he got an opportunity to bat at number three against Ireland in the second T20I of the series (June 28, 2022). Even though he proved himself in that position, the team management continued to back him as a finisher but the cricketer hasn’t been able to prove himself in that position as of now.
Karthik believes that it is a big challenge for him as he fancies himself to take on the opponent in the powerplay. Thus, he mentioned that even though the 27-year-old was decent in the series against Sri Lanka, he wants Hooda at the top of the order.
“To be consistent is the hardest thing at 5, 6, 7, especially at 6 and 7. So Deepak Hooda, even though he has done really well at No.3, for some reason they feel he can do the job at No.6 and 7. I feel this is going to be a big challenge for him. Through his IPL career, barring Lucknow Super Giants, he is someone who has batted through the middle, at No.5 or 6, and hasn't had great success.
"He fancies himself as a top-order batter. He rediscovered himself when he went from Baroda to Rajasthan. He likes batting in the powerplay. He likes to take the game on. But right now, in the recently-concluded Sri Lanka series, he did decently well at No.6 and it was a great opportunity for him,” Karthik said while speaking to Cricbuzz.
Karthik wants Jitesh Sharma to bat at number 6
If Hooda gets a promotion in the batting order, the 37-year-old wants the team management to try Jitesh Sharma in the number six position. He mentioned that the cricketer is trained to bat in that position and thus, can do well if handed an opportunity.
“Jitesh Sharma is a home-grown No.6 batsman. He is someone who likes batting there and would hence enjoy the situation a lot more. Her has batted there and has trained himself to bat there. But in this series I don't see him playing. Now it is Deepak Hooda. But I do think if he is under pressure they should give him that opportunity at No.3 before they decide to move on from him,” Karthik opined.
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