The Indian team may have started the 3-match ODI series against Australia on a perfect note by winning the first ODI but it suffered a humiliating defeat in the second ODI which was played at YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium, Puttampalli, Andhra Pradesh. In today’s match, Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first, the decision proved completely correct as the Aussie bowlers wrapped the Indian batting line-up at the meager score of 117 runs. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers as he took a fifer in his 8 overs, while Sean Abbott took 3 wickets, Nathan Ellis dismissed 2 batters.
In response to India’s 117, the Aussies chased the target successfully in just 11 overs without losing any wicket. The Aussie openers Mitchell Marsh (66 runs not out, 36 balls, 6 fours & 6 sixes) and Travis Head (51 runs not out, 30 balls, 10 fours) played brilliantly and took their team home as winners.
This series holds a lot of importance for both the teams, especially India as the ICC ODI World Cup is going to take place later this year in India and this series can help the team in preparing for the mega-event.
However, Rishabh Pant’s absence from the team may be a problem for the team but still the Indian team will be the favourites to win the World Cup 2023 as it will have the home advantage.
Recently, the former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina who was a part of India’s World Cup 2011 winning squad talked about one important point on which India should focus on in regard to the upcoming World Cup 2023. During an interview, Suresh Raina states that the Indian team needs a floater batter who can also bowl.
He further says that he remembers Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan and he used to bowl as well and it is no secret that Viru and Yuvi used to make a big impact in the match with the ball. Suresh Raina adds that things become a little easy for a skipper if he has a player who can bowl 4-5 overs as it brings a good balance.
In his opinion, Deepak Hooda can be that player who can be a floater batter in the current team and repeat the success of Yuvraj Singh.
Deepak Hooda, the cricketer who plays for Rajasthan in domestic level and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL made his international debut in 2022 and till now, he has played 10 ODIs and 21 T20Is in which he has scored 153 runs and 368 runs, respectively and he has also taken 3 wickets in ODIs and 6 wickets in T20Is.
Do you also agree with Suresh Raina that Deepak Hooda can be the floater batter for India?