Deepak Hooda had left Baroda after a fall-out with Krunal Pandya.
Ambati Rayudu, who last played in a first-class match in 2017, will represent Baroda in the upcoming domestic season. Additionally, the Baroda Cricket Association is working to get Deepak Hooda back, who left the association following a dispute with the team's former captain, Krunal Pandya.
Shishir Hattangadi, the chief executive of the Baroda Cricket Association, revealed that Rayudu would in fact play for Baroda and that efforts are being made to bring Deepak Hooda back.
“Yes, Ambati Rayudu will be joining us from the upcoming season. As far as Deepak Hooda is concerned, there are efforts going on to contact him but we do not know anything for sure as of now," he told NDTV.
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When asked about the equation between Hooda and Krunal, Hattangadi pointed out that both the players represented the same franchise (Lucknow Super Giants) in IPL 2022.
"They are playing for the same IPL franchise (Lucknow Super Giants), so where is the problem," he said.
Hattangadi also confirmed that Yusuf Pathan, the former India all-rounder, will serve as a mentor for Baroda and how this will benefit the young people.
"It is nice to have someone who has gone up the ladder, coming from a smaller state. He (Yusuf) will be able to tell them about the issues that need to be addressed in terms of temperament, you know being able to fit into the scheme of things on a pan-India scale," he stated.
When asked if the addition of Rayudu will make Baroda a more capable unit, Hattangadi responded that both Rayudu and Pathan would be able to impart knowledge to the youngsters through their work ethics and experience sharing.
"I do not know about the strength bit because that depends on form, and it can be good or bad as it is fickle. Sharing experiences and work ethic, and sharing what it takes to do well at the next stage is always important when somebody has done it. That is why guys like Ambati and Yusuf will be able to provide inputs to the youngsters in a smaller state."
(NDTV INPUTS)