IPL 2022: He is somebody we can rely on in the middle overs – KL Rahul on Deepak Hooda

Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul showered praise on Deepak Hooda after the right-hander scored 51 runs off just 33 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Monday as they won by 12 runs.

Hooda has been in fine form in the ongoing IPL for LSG as he has scored two fifties in three matches so far.

LSG was under the cosh against Sunrisers Hyderabad as they were reduced to 27-3 after the first five overs when Hooda joined forces with skipper KL Rahul. However, Hooda and Rahul were able to add 87 runs for the fourth-wicket alliance to help their team get out of trouble.

Hooda changed the momentum of the innings when he took the attack against Umran Malik and the fast bowler went for 20 runs in the 10th over he bowled. Subsequently, the fast bowler from Kashmir was taken for 16 runs in his next over.

Hooda scored three fours and as many sixes in his knock and provided the much-needed impetus to LSG’s innings in the middle overs.

KL Rahul said in the post-match presentation, “I have been playing with him (Hooda) for the last 3-4 seasons and we talk a lot. He loves batting in the nets and never comes out. He’s keen to learn, he had to wait for chances and he’s using them. He’s become somebody whom we can rely on in the middle order. He soaked in the pressure today and took on the bowling. Really pleased with the way he’s batting. Hopefully, he can grow and get better.”

On the other hand, LSG has been put under pressure by the opposition in their first three games but they have found a way to stay in the contest, which has pleased KL Rahul. The LSG skipper is delighted with the team’s bowling performance but feels they can do a better job with the bat at the top of the order.

Rahul added, “What’s been pleasing is that we have always found a way to stay in the game and give ourselves a chance to win, we did that again today. Not ideal to lose three wickets in the first four overs, it’s not something that’ll bring us down. that’s something we need to learn as a batting group how we can play risk-free cricket.

With the ball, we have been brilliant in all three games and that’s something we need to carry ahead. You don’t chat so much in the middle. You don’t want to plan too much as openers. If the wicket is good, both of us go.

We have the extra batter with Jason coming in, the plan is put pressure on the opposition. That’s the body language we want to carry, go out there and look to hit boundaries and sixes. If we end up losing a couple of wickets, we need to assess the conditions quickly. Quinton and Lewis, it didn’t matter if an offie was bowling, they wanted to put pressure on him, didn’t come off this game but that’s something to learn.”

LSG will next take on Delhi Capitals on Thursday at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai.