Former goalkeeper Saba Karim calculates Shreyas Iyer above Deepak Hooda in the order of surgery in Indian T20I plays XI. Karim hopes Iyer will continue to have a few more chances against Hooda.
There has been some criticism about the decision to pick Iyer over Hooda in the first T20I against the West Indies on Friday (July 29). The voices were reinvigorated after the previous one was fired for a duck.
Previewing the second T20I to be played at St Kitts on Monday (August 1), Karim shared his views on the Iyer vs Hooda debate, telling India News:
“It was a difficult choice. In the home series against South Africa, Shreyas Iyer defeated with a score of 3-4. I feel Shreyas Iyer is ahead of Deepak Hooda in pecking order. That’s why he was included in the squad as soon as he returned to the T20 team. In that case, he will have to be given a few more chances in the upcoming matches. “
Karim added:
“One has to remember that Shreyas has shown good form in the ODIs, so that’s why he is supported.”
Against his duck in the opening T20I against the West Indies, Iyer impressed on a one-day streak, scoring 54, 63 and 44 in three games.
“It was a bit difficult for Deepak Hooda, but it was difficult to match him” – Reetinder Sodhi
Opening about Iyer vs Hooda, former all-rounder of India Sodhi believes that removing Hooda will not be an easy decision for the Indian leadership. He say:
“It was a bit difficult for Deepak Hooda, but it was very difficult to match him. Shreyas Iyer needs to get enough chances as he is part of the preparations for the T20 World Cup. Hooda is waiting in the wings. I’m sure he’ll get a chance at some point. He has shown in the few matches he has played that he can also be a strong contender for the T20 World Cup. “
Also read
The story continues below
The 27-year-old Hooda scored 47* and 104 in the two-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin. He also beat 33 of 17 in his first T20I against England in Southampton before making way for Virat Kohli in the other two.
