"Why Don't You Go There Like A Warrior": Deepak Hooda On Mindset For Century vs Ireland

The big-hitting Deepak Hooda believes himself to be "a warrior" when faced with the task of tackling the new ball in conditions favourable to bowlers. Because, according to him, there is no other option but to just face the challenges head on when batting at the top of the order. Riding his powerful striking abilities, Hooda hogged the limelight with a 57-ball 104 in India's second T20 International against Ireland here on Tuesday. Batting at number three, Hooda became only the fourth Indian batter to score a century in the shortest format.

"I've never opened in an international game, but being a top-order batsman, you have to cope up to the challenges and you don't have any option.

"And if you don't have any option, then why don't you go there like a warrior. That's how I think, and things turned in my way. I'm happy about that," said Hooda after the match.

With young talents bursting at the seams, the 27-year-old all-rounder admitted that it is not easy to get into, and retain, one's place in the Indian team.

"To be honest, yes it is difficult to find a spot in the Indian team and then staying there. But at the same time when you're playing in India colours, that time you never think about yourself, you think about the team.

"That's what I think about on the ground 'How can I contribute to the team in that situation'. I don't think more than that, try to keep things simple. Yes, it's a matter of pride for me that I'm playing for India, no matter if I'm scoring or not," said Hooda.

Walking in following the dismissal of opener Ishan Kishan in the third over, Hooda smashed nine boundaries and six sixes to score his maiden T20I century.

"To be honest, the Irish team played really well against us and we enjoyed playing