'Where is Deepak Hooda? - Kris Srikkanth slams India's selection for first T20I match against West Indies

Former Indian skipper and ex-chairman of the selection committee, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, was left bemused after team India batter Deepak Hooda was not named India’s XI for the first T20I encounter being played on July 29 (Friday) against West Indies.

West Indies won the toss and opted to have a field first against the visiting team. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer who performed very well during the ODI fixtures against West Indies was named in the Indian XI to bat at number three. However, Iyer could not do much as he was scalped before even opening his account.

In T20 cricket you need to understand, that you need all-rounders: Srikkanth

Speaking to FanCode after India lost the toss, Srikkanth said, “Where is Hooda? He did well in T20Is. He did well in ODIs as well. He is the guy who should be there. In T20 cricket you need to understand, that you need all-rounders. Batting all-rounders, bowling all-rounders, so more the all-rounders better for you.”

Hooda has been in excellent touch lately as he made a crucial contribution during his last T20I encounter against England as the Men in Blue went on to win that contest and eventually clinched the series. He also stroked his maiden international century against Ireland in a T20I match last month. Earlier, Hooda was also in good touch during this year’s concluded edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Talking about his numbers in T20I cricket, the right-handed batter has amassed 205 runs at an average of 68.33 at a strike rate of 172.26 which includes a hundred as well. Meanwhile, Iyer has scored 931 runs in 38 T20I innings for the Men in Blue at a strike rate of 138.74 with six fifties to his name.

Meanwhile, both India and West Indies will want to win the first T20I encounter and get a perfect start to the five-match series. As mentioned above, the home team will be chasing in the first T20I fixture.