All-rounder Deepak Hooda has parted ways with Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) after a spat with captain Krunal Pandya and will now represent Rajasthan in the upcoming domestic season.
Earlier this year, Hooda had accused Krunal of abusing him on the eve of the Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and even complained to the BCA about the skipper’s conduct, but the state association blamed him for leaking his letter to the media and suspended him for the rest of the season.
The BCA even reached out to his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) and threatened to complain to the BCCI regarding the matter. Following the incident, Hooda has decided to quit the Baroda team and will join Rajasthan ahead of the upcoming domestic season.
Recently, the 26-year-old applied for a No Objection Certificate, and BCA Secretary Ajit Lele confirmed that the state body has issued the NOC to the cricketer to play for Rajasthan.
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Lele told Sportstar: “We issued the NOC to him. It is unfortunate that he had to leave Baroda. I think the whole issue (of Hooda and Krunal) could have been handled in a more pragmatic way.”
Meanwhile, the right-hander said it was quite disappointing for him to leave Baroda, but after discussing with his coaches and well-wishers, he decided to leave the side.
Hooda told Sportstar, “It is definitely a sad feeling to quit Baroda, for whom I have played throughout my career. But I spoke to my coaches, well-wishers, and thought this was the right decision for me.”
Well, the Hooda-Pandya saga hasn’t gone down well with former India and Baroda all-rounder Irfan Pathan was upset to see the side is losing such a talented cricketer.
Pathan wrote on Twitter, “How many cricket associations will lose out on a player who is in the Indian team probables list? Deepak Hooda leaving Baroda cricket is a huge loss. He could have easily given his services for another ten years as he is still young. As a Barodian It’s utterly disappointing!.”
Noteworthy, Hooda debuted for Baroda in 2013 and played 46 first-class games for Baroda, scoring 2908 runs at an average of 43. He also featured in 68 List-A matches as well as 131 T20s.
