ASIA Cup 2022 – KL Rahul vs Deepak Hooda – Who plays in IND vs HK match? India managed to beat Pakistan in their opening game, but it has led to some important questions as well. One of them being KL Rahul’s form. The player was out for a golden duck. As a result, questions are being asked on KL Rahul’s place in XI. Especially when a man in form like Deepak Hooda is being benched. Will Indian team management bring Hooda back in XI? CHECK OUT: Follow Asia Cup Cricket 2022 live updates with InsideSport.IN
“I can’t understand this. Deepak Hooda has performed so well. Why he is sitting out? He is been consistent at the top – adds to the bowling options, good fielder as well – why he is sitting out. He according to me should play. “, agitated Gautam Gambhir told Official broadcaster Star Sports.
So will KL Rahul be dropped for match against HongKong? Sources in Indian team camp told InsideSport, that KL Rahul’s place is not under threat this Asia Cup. Hooda will have to wait for his chances as team management believes and is completely convinced about Rahul’s ability and utility.
With the T20 World Cup in October, the performance in the Asia Cup assumes greater significance. Players’ recent form will be looked into, and it at that juncture Rahul disappoints while Hooda impresses.
Deepak Hooda banging on the doors: It is difficult to keep in form players out of the Playing XI on a regular basis. But that is exactly what is happening with Deepak Hooda. His performance has been on the upside, especially with the bat.
Post the IPL, he has not played a single bad game in the shorter format. He even smashed an incredible hundred against Ireland in June. His scores read 47 not out, 104, 33, 10 not out, 21 and 38. Even in the ODIs, he contributed with the bat against West Indies.
If Hooda is picked ahead of Rahul, it could also help the management adopt their aggressive brand of cricket even more. Hooda has also adapted to the system of late, and scored big runs. Compare that to Rahul, the Karnataka man is a slow starter.
Why Hooda deserves a chance?
- First and foremost, the player is in excellent form
- Hooda adds balance to the team with his off-spin
- He can play in different positions/can be used as a floater
- The player’s fitness is not a concern
- There is an air of confidence in his game, and has delivered whenever a chance came by
- The right-hander has played under Rohit Sharma and understands the new brand of aggressive cricket too
- With T20 World Cup starting in October, in form players deserve their chance
KL Rahul fails to impress: Post his return from sports hernia surgery and Covid-19 recovery, Rahul has just been a shadow of himself. The Indian opener has accumulated 31 runs from 4 matches, which does not just augur well.
In the four matches, he batted three times with scores of 1,30 and 0. These are worry signs for Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup. More importantly even when he scored 30, he looked rusty and took 46 balls to get those. It is important to note that the player made a comeback in the Zimbabwe series.
How good is this!!! #naseemshah #IndiaVsPakistan #ViratKohli𓃵 #HardikPandya #AsiaCup #PAKvIND #AsiaCup2022 #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/HujS523Eg6
— Raz Khan (@Raz_khan789) August 28, 2022
What has been said so far? Even before the Asia Cup started, the debate had become a talking point. And former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria made an interesting observation on the episode. He suggested it all depends on Rahul’s form in Asia Cup.
“It would be interesting to see if the Indian captain has the courage to play Deepak Hooda over Rahul. Hooda is an explosive batter, a good fielder and he can bowl some off-spin as well. It all depends on Rahul’s form. When they reach Dubai and practice over there, the picture over Rahul’s touch would become clearer,” Kaneria said then in his YouTube channel.
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