The big-hitting Rajasthan Royals batsman Deepak Hooda credits his good start in the Indian Premier League to mentor Rahul Dravid, and teammate Steven Smith. Rediff.com's Harish Kotian caught up with the youngster to figure out his success mantra.
‘Kevin Pietersen is my inspiration when it comes to batting because he also is an attacking batsman.’
‘You learn a lot from someone like Rahul Dravid. I have spoken to him on things like how to bat in certain situations, how to handle pressure situations.’
‘Smith was very helpful and he explained why I failed to deliver in those games.’
Among the young Indian players who have impressed in the ongoing eighth edition of Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals batsman Deepak Hooda certainly figures among the top names.
The 20-year-old caught the attention of everyone following his breathtaking innings of 54 from 25 balls, which included four sixes and three sixes, against Delhi Daredevils which saw Rajasthan sneak home off the last delivery of the match after being set a massive 185 runs for victory.
Hooda says former England batsman Kevin Pietersen is his inspiration when it comes to playing attacking brand of cricket.
“Kevin Pietersen is my inspiration when it comes to batting because he also is an attacking batsman and loves to play big shots. And my role in the team is also to play big shots and score quickly whenever the situation arises like I have done in a few games this season. I also practice my big shots in the nets,” he said in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The youngster was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup squad in 2014 and is featuring in his first season of IPL, having warmed the bench last year for Rajasthan which he terms as the year of learning and gaining experience.
“Last season I didn’t get to play a single match but I used to speak to the coaches and the support staff on how to develop my game. But since last season I was mentally prepared and was waiting for the opportunity that would come my way. And this season when I finally got the chance I was very happy and looked to make most of the opportunity,” he said.
The most notable thing about Rajasthan Royals since the inaugural edition of the IPL which they won in 2008 has been the way they have taken the lead in bringing India youngsters to the fore including the likes of Hooda, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson and Yusuf Pathan.
Even Hooda was encouraged to prepare himself to bat in different situations and in different positions in the nets which he says has been beneficial for him while playing in match situations.
“Before the start of the IPL I was practicing in the nets on how to bat, both up the order and down the order and in different situations. So, I was mentally prepared on how to bat in different positions and that is what helped me. The Rajasthan Royals management and coaches have also backed me fully and have encouraged me to play freely and express myself out in the middle which has further boosted my confidence,” he said.
Hooda pointed out that having someone like Australia’s run machine Steven Smith in the dressing room has been vital for a young batsman like him.
“In the last two matches I didn’t do well and I went up to Steven Smith and discussed the same with him. Smith was very helpful and he explained why I failed to deliver in those games which should help me in the future matches,” he said.
And of course, there is the Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid who is available at all times in the Rajasthan dressing room to youngsters like Hooda.
“You learn a lot from someone like Rahul Dravid. I have spoken to him on things like how to bat in certain situations, how to handle pressure situations and lot of other things related to my batting. I always love to go up to him and have a chat with him about batting and I also discuss a lot with Paddy Upton. They also come up to me at times and give me tips about batting,” he added.
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