All-rounder Krunal Pandya has decided to quit his position as Baroda team captain from the upcoming domestic season.

In a surprising move, Krunal informed the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) president Pranav Amin about his decision via an email on Friday (November 26) evening.

“This is to put on record that I will be unavailable to lead Baroda in the current domestic season. However, I will be available for selection to play for the team. I will offer my best as a team member and player to Baroda cricket. My support and contribution will always be in the best interest of the team,” Krunal wrote in his email, which was accessed by The Indian Express.

Baroda’s underwhelming campaign in the recently held Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy is believed to be the reason behind his resignation. Under Krunal’s captaincy, the team finished last in Group B as they managed to win just one out of five matches and failed to qualify for the knock stage.

Krunal Pandya’s own performance wasn’t up to the mark in the domestic T20 tournament as he scored just 83 runs and claimed six wickets.

As per the report, BCA will now hand over the captaincy duty to veteran Kedar Devdhar while left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt is likely to be appointed vice-captain of the team for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is due to be played next month.

Krunal had taken charge as a captain two seasons ago and his stint was marred by a few controversies.

Last year, Deepak Hooda, who later moved to Rajasthan, had written an email to BCA where he had made a series of allegations about Pandya after he had spat with the Mumbai Indians player.

Last year, Deepak Hooda had written an email to BCA where he had made a series of allegations against Krunal Pandya after he had spat with the latter. Hooda later moved on from BCA and shifted his base to Rajasthan.

“At this moment, I am demoralised, depressed and under pressure. As from the past few days, my team captain Mr Kurnal Pandiya is using abusing language towards me in front of my teammates and also other state teams who have come for participation at Reliance Stadium Vadodara,” Hooda wrote.

(Inputs from The Indian Express)