Deepak Hooda celebrated his call-up to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka with a fine all-round performance for RBI in the 14th DY Patil T20 Cup on Sunday.
Hooda’s 74 (35b, 5x4, 6x6) with the bat and then his brilliant spell of 5-17 helped RBI beat ONGC by 45 runs at the University Ground of the DY Patil College.
Batting first RBI posted 164-7 in their 20 overs with Hooda at number four top-scoring for his side. The others just played cameos. For ONGC, Vikramjeet Malik (3-34) was the best bowler on view.
In their response, ONGC just could not get going as Hooda spuna web around their batting line-up. Mayank Rawat (45) and Om Bhosle (33) were the only batsmen to provide any sort of challenge, thereby providing RBI’s first win in the tournament. With this defeat, ONGC is out of the competition as they have lost all three of their Pool B contests.
At the end of the day Hooda was ecstatic with his selection to the Indian squad. “I have to maintain my consistency and keep working hard in my practice sessions. I have to carry the positives from here with hard work and maintain my ability to be a useful all-rounder. It is obvious that there is pressure because you have to represent your nation. I am getting a chance to perform for the country which is a huge feeling. There is a sense of responsibility too as I have to deliver my best,” said Hooda at the end of the match.
Talking specifically about the performance in the match against ONGC was effusive in his praise for the competition. “In India after Mushtaq Ali this is the best T20 tournament in the country. I used to play for DY Patil earlier, now for RBI, there is a great positive environment around the tournament. Today there was a good all-round effort by us.”
In the other match Canara Bank went down by nine wickets to Jain Irrigation System Ltd. Canara Bank was shot out for 140 with Rakesh Prabhu (3-33) being the best bowler for Jain Irrigation System Ltd. In their response Jain Irrigation System Ltd was well served by Mumbai opener Jay Bista (50) and his partner Pritam Patil (77 n.o.). Jain Irrigation finished the league stage with three wins from as many games in Pool A, whereas Canara Bank managed to win just one of their three games.
The action in the tournament today moves to the Talegaon facility of the DY Patil College.
AT UNIVERSITY GROUND
RBI 164-7 in 20 overs (Deepak Hooda 74, Kuldeep Hooda 21, Ishan Kishan 15; Vikramjeet Malik 3-34, Mayank Dagar 2-24) bt ONGC 119 in 15.2 overs (Mayank Rawat 45, Om Bhosle 33; Deepak Hooda 5-17, Saumitra Singh 2-26)-by 45 runs
Canara Bank 140 in 20 overs (Raajoo Bhatkal 55; Rakesh Prabhu 3-33, Azhar Ansari 2-27) lost to Jain Irrigation System Ltd 142-1 in 12.5 overs (Jay Bista 50, Pritam Patil 77 n.o.)-by nine wickets
FIXTURES FOR FEBRUARY 26
At Talegaon: DY Patil Sports ‘B’ v Indian Oil; DY Patil Sports ‘A’ v BPCL
