Deepak Hooda’s time has finally arrived after a lengthy wait.
After nearly five years of being overlooked, Deepak Hooda questioned Irfan Pathan why he hadn’t been given the opportunity to play for India. Hooda believed he had what it took to represent his country, but things weren’t going his way. Deepak Hooda’s time has finally arrived after a lengthy wait.
“Apna time aayega,” said Irfan, a former India all-rounder, to calm down his junior on the Baroda team.
Hooda’s turn had finally come, eight years after making his Baroda debut, when he was selected for the impending three-match home ODI series against the West Indies.
Irfan’s one-liner debuted before the popular Bollywood rap. “Be cool and just go through the process,” Hooda was told once more. “Train hard, care after your fitness and food; that’s the approach in a nutshell for a sportsperson.” It is enhanced by a strong work ethic and determination. Hooda has been working on his “method” for three years. In Baroda, he went about his business quietly. In reality, he internalized it, striving to represent his country on the field. He signed a hefty Rs 4.2 crore IPL deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, but it wasn’t enough to quench his thirst. His Holy Grail has always been to play for India.
“I gradually became friends with Irfan bhai and Yusuf (Pathan) bhai. They instilled in me the ability to remain cool, and they taught me the value of calmness. It was natural for a child to feel restless, and I was no different. It was affecting my performance. I tried a little too hard at times. Hooda told The Indian Express that he tried to overdo things that weren’t necessary.
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Irfan’s cricket career has taken him on a wild path. After a promising start in Australia, the left-arm seamer succumbed to former India coach Greg Chappell’s ‘all-rounder’ experiment, losing his bowling mojo, or swing, to be specific. He returned after being dismissed. As a result, when he spoke to Hooda, he was speaking from personal experience.
Hooda explained how he went about his business. “I recall Irfan bhai emphasizing the significance of preparation and procedure. Continually doing the same thing without expecting anything in return. So, whether it was at the gym, at the nets, or adhering to a rigorous diet, I always put in a good effort. It was well worth it.”
The Chetan Sharma-led selection committee has stacked the white-ball squads with all-rounders in pursuit of the appropriate mix. Hooda, a hard-hitting batsman and a flat-spin bowler, has made the cut. His To-Do List His T20 strike rate is at 139, and his strike rate is north of 93. Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur are all-rounders in the ODI squad with him. Washington is projected to be the team’s first-choice all-rounder for spin bowling. Hooda’s propensity to go off with the bat is a valuable commodity for the 26-year-old.
“People pondered and questions crept in on a regular basis,” Hooda remarked, “but Irfan bhai constantly told me one line, ‘Apna time aayega.'” And as he became frustrated, he discovered his younger brother standing by his side, eager to share his misery.
“Whenever I was irritated, I blamed it on my younger brother, who now works as a sports manager.” He was also a cricketer, therefore he understands the difficulties that players face,” Hooda remarked.
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He was in the news for all the wrong reasons in 2020. When he saw that his name was absent from the 15-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, he battled with Baroda captain Krunal Pandya and left the bio-bubble.
In 2021, he moved to Rajasthan, a move that appeared inevitable. “I saw the ups and downs,” Hooda related, “and after that, everybody knows what happened in Baroda.” Last year, I moved to a diverse state. Rajasthan grasped me in spite of the reality that it was an unused travel destination for me. All of your endeavors have paid off. I didn’t get a clarification on why I was chosen and why I was dropped at first. It was a troublesome period. I was inquisitive as to why I had not been chosen. I felt frantic to be picked once more, and all I needed was to be a portion of the group. “
In the midst of the past IPL, he talked with Anil Kumble, and the astounding leg-spinner concurred that Hooda had it in him to play for India once more. Kumble is justified in communicating appreciation towards him as well. I’d have to thank Anil bhai for giving me a chance in two IPL seasons, and individuals there have taken note that I still have something in me,” says the player. I’ve ceaselessly had confidence in myself. I’ve persistently been sure that “Attempt, endeavor, endeavor till you run out of breath.”