A big-hitting all-rounder, Deepak Hooda is no stranger to the big stage. The 20-year old was part of the India Under-19s before making his debut for Baroda in the senior circuit in the 2014-15 season. The all-rounder who bowls off spin made his presence felt in his debut season as he finished with 202 runs at an average of 50.50 and 10 wickets from four matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2014-15. His all-round efforts earned him the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in domestic limited overs competition. While expressing his delight on receiving the prestigious award, the youngster said that the time spent with the India U-19s under the tutelage of Bharat Arun and R Sridhar has laid a strong foundation. As he now aims for the coveted India cap, Hooda also mentioned that the support of his family and guidance of seniors like Munaf Patel has helped. Excerpts from the interview: What does it mean to receive the Lala Amarnath Award for being the best all-rounder in limited overs? It means a lot to me. Last year was my debut season in the Vijay Hazare trophy and to receive the best all-rounder for the first season is very motivating. I will work harder and will try to win more awards. How does it feel that the BCCI recognizes the performances in the domestic circuit? It means a lot as just one player from all over the country is selected for it. It is a proud moment. An all-rounder plays a crucial role especially in the limited overs format - how have you shaped yourself into the role? Yes, it is a crucial role. The all-rounder is someone who carries the team through. He has the responsibility of doing so. I have grown into the role and matured over time. Earlier, when I played for India U-19, we had Bharat Arun Sir and (R) Sridhar Sir and both have played a big role in my grooming as an all-rounder. They had trust in me; they would motivate me and tell me that I can do it and I must keep playing the way I do. All those factors and the motivating things that they would say have played a hand in my grooming. I gradually understood things and everything started getting better. You share a close bond with your brother Ashish Hooda? We started playing cricket almost simultaneously. He started a month after me. Everyone knows we gel well together. He understands what I do. We always played together and then I joined the academy and he too joined in. He was a medium-pacer and a batsman and I am an off-spinner and a batsman. We shifted to a club in Delhi and we played together at the club. But then, my brother suffered an injury to his shoulder and had to stop bowling, otherwise he was a better player than me. He knows my game and understands what must be going on with me. He is my biggest support. My family is very supportive. What do you see as the biggest challenge for an all-rounder? To take the team through is the biggest challenge. The team relies on an all-rounder so he has to perform. It is about contributing to the team’s success. He has to handle the pressure from both ends – while batting and bowling. He has to ensure that he performs and when he hasn’t done well with one aspect, he has to ensure he makes up for it with the other. If he has done well in one department, he has to make sure he doesn’t relax and contribute more by doing well in the other too. Mentally he needs to be strong.

Who is your favourite all rounder?

Not an all-rounder as such, but I like Kevin Pietersen a lot and he used to bowl occasionally as well. Baroda have good all-rounder like Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. Having them around must have helped. The Baroda Cricket Association have supported me a lot. I got to play in all the tournaments at the U-19 level and I am very thankful to the BCA and the coaches. We have role models right in front of us. By watching them you get to learn quickly. Harru (Hadik Pandya) and I benefit a lot from observing the way Irfan and Yusuf Pathan play. How they finish the game, stay mentally strong and prepare themselves are some of the things we have learnt. Munaf (Patel) bhaiyya is like an elder brother to me and he teaches me everything. What do you enjoy the most in the shorter format?

I enjoy fielding the most. While batting and bowling there is a lot of pressure, but fielding is one thing which is in our hand and the more you enjoy it, the better it gets. I try to remain calm under pressure and enjoy fielding. Have you set yourself a goal?

As compared to the last season, this one has not been that good in the Ranji Trophy, but the one-dayers were better. I have a good average, but I didn’t get to bowl much. I am ready for the T20s and looking forward to do well in the tournament. I have prepared well and the immediate goal is to perform well and get into the Indian team’s probables for the T20s.