Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, will kick off on 31st March 2023, the opening game will be between defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in IPL 16, the inclusion of two new teams in the last edition of Indian T20 league, Gujarat and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has given the new dimension to tournament.
Former Indian batter and CSK’s star player, Suresh Raina thinks Deepak Hooda will benefit team India in the ODI World Cup 2023. Besides, Hooda will be seen playing for LSG in the upcoming edition of IPL.
Raina bats for the 27-year-old batting all-rounder to be a part of the 2023 ODI WC-
“I remember how Viru pa, Yuvi pa, and Sachin paaji used to bowl. Yusuf and I as well. Whenever a left-hander used to come to the crease, Mahi Bhai would call me. I think Deepak Hooda could bring that factor; he can be the floater batter. He’s a terrific fielder, a good offie, and can replicate his T20 form in ODIs,” told former Indian left-handed batter to Sports Tak.
Since making his debut for India in 2022 in the T20I format, Deepak Hooda has batted at six different positions in the line-up in 20 appearances. His most notable show came at No.3 when he scored a T20I century in the Ireland series last June. Meanwhile, he has batted the most times at No.6, scoring 73 runs in six innings, with a highest knock of 41*.
“We have Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel; there will be spin-friendly wickets, and it will be a bit cold when the World Cup starts. There will be dew, and there might not be much turn on offer. Axar, Jadeja, and Hooda will be important, and so will Hardik Pandya with his pace and variation. We saw how Viru pa and Yuvi pa used to bring impact with the ball. Yuvi Pa was the X-factor; he bowled really well, and that confidence also showed in his batting,” he further added.
Hooda made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2015. In a total of 95 IPL matches during his career, he has scored with a strike rate of 132.05 and took 10 wickets, while in his last edition in IPL 2022, for a Lucknow-based side he scored 451 runs in 15 games, while KL Rahul-led Lucknow was knocked out by RCB in the playoff match.
All we want to say to our #SuperGiants right now is: ???? ???? ???? ????? ??
Hai na, #LSGBrigade? ???#LucknowSuperGiants | #LSG pic.twitter.com/3auxN8mQQd
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 10, 2023
“It’s also easy for the captain when there’s a player who can give you 4-5 overs. It gives you a good balance,” concluded the veteran batter for batting all-rounder.
The 2023 edition of the ODI World Cup will take place in India most probably in October. The last three editions of the ODI World Cup were won by the host nation, and India would also like to continue the same trend by becoming the champion for the third time (1983 &2011).
India last won the ODI World Cup in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. They have failed to win any ICC trophy since winning the Champions Trophy title in 2023, after reaching the finals of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and T20 WC in 2014. With Shreyas Iyer’s injury, the 27-year-old surely is the contender for Men in Blue in WC 2023 in India.