On a field that prevented hitters from playing their shots freely and getting quick boundaries, India was in ruins at 77/4 in 10.3 overs when Deepak Hooda came out to bat against Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the series on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium.
Hardik Pandya would fall to Hooda, leaving India with a total of 101/5 after 15 overs. However, Maheesh Theekshana, who had been excellent up until that point, mishandled the short ball, allowing the right-handed batter to powerfully pull over deep mid-wicket for six. Theekshana attempted to overcompensate by bowling fuller, but Hooda stepped up to smash another six over the same area.
His spinner twin, Wanindu Hasaranga, too erred by bowling a short ball to Hooda, who was gleefully dragged for another six over deep mid-wicket. The all-rounder guided a key 68-run combination with Axar Patel, who finished unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls after making 31 not out off 20 balls.
"Initially, the situation did not permit hitting the ball hard, but it was his (Theekshana) last over and then he bowled a loose ball as well. In a T20 game, you have to keep that intent of hitting. If you get the ball in the right area, you have to smash it. That was, I suppose, the perfect time to play my game and partner Axar (Patel) and thankfully it got executed well," said Hooda in the post-match press conference.
Hooda also remarked that he had the clarity in his mind to pull India out of a tough situation against Sri Lanka.
"It was very clear that we had to build partnerships after we lost early wickets. You have to be ready for such situations when you're batting in the lower order, at number six. There can be a collapse any time and it was not a collapse as such, we were in a good position early on. But yes, that's the role of a number six or seven, either you do in the first or second match," he said.
"That's what the game demands: that you play according to the wicket and post a decent total. That's what I was thinking while batting as a number six batter, that I had to do the finisher's job," he added.
Prior to the start of the final five overs, Hooda was at six from eight deliveries and had yet to hit a boundary, scoring all of his runs on singles after being out to Hasaranga's opening delivery.
Naveed Nawaz, an assistant coach for Sri Lanka, believes that his team's hitters may learn from Hooda's Tuesday night pyrotechnics finish by giving a manageable total in a close two-run victory.
"It is all about mentality in T20 cricket and also to find the balance in when to attack and when to knock the singles off. It's been challenging because sometimes players tend to waste a lot of balls, play too many dot balls and find themselves in a situation where you are far behind the asking rate. So, the easiest way to play T20 cricket is to be positive and look at playing aggressive cricket," said Nawaz.
"Whenever the opportunities arise, go for it. Whenever there is a low score, there is a reason behind it, like the condition of the ground and wicket. The batters will have the challenge to counter that and go according to the ground conditions."
So, it's been a challenging task to find that right balance between being attacking and defensive. But I guess T20 cricket is about being aggressive, positive and encouraging our boys to do the same. If you are positive and aggressive, I am sure that results are going to be on your side often," he added.