Chopra also cited the example of Venkatesh Iyer. Despite being touted as a backup for Hardik Pandya for the three ODIs against South Africa, Iyer didn’t bowl in the first ODI. He got four overs in the second and was eventually dropped for the third.
The cricketer-turned-analyst feels the team management doesn’t trust Hooda and Iyer’s bowling abilities as much as the national selectors.
Like Iyer in the first ODI against South Africa, Hooda is playing his maiden 50-over international in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Apart from his brilliant batting stats, the off-spinning all-rounder has a handy record in List A cricket - 35 wickets in 74 matches at an average of 27.11 and an economy rate of 4.42 with the best spell of 5/55.
India bowl out West Indies for 176 despite Deepak Hooda not bowling
Another reason why India didn’t bowl Deepak Hooda could be that they simply didn’t need him. The hosts dominated Kieron Pollard and Co. from the outset on the turning Ahmedabad track, reducing them to 79-7 in 22.5 overs.
West Indies put up just one substantial partnership - 78 runs between Jason Holder and Fabian Allen but that could only get them to 176. The pitch isn’t the easiest for batting but Rohit Sharma and Co. will fancy their chances in the chase.
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