Punjab Kings all-rounder Deepak Hooda has decided to leave Baroda ahead of the upcoming Indian domestic cricket season. The youngster will now represent Rajasthan in the domestic circuit.
The decision comes after a spat with Baroda skipper Krunal Pandya earlier this year during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Deepak Hooda left the bio-bubble midway and brought a series of allegations against the skipper which led to his suspension.
“At this moment, I am demoralised, depressed and under pressure. As from last some days and at least from last couple of days, my team captain Mr. Kurnal Pandiya is using abusing language to me in front of my teammates and also other states teams who have come for participation at Reliance stadium Vadodara,” Hooda wrote in the email to the Baroda Cricket Association.
Confirming the development to Sportstar, Deepak Hooda stated it was the right decision as far as his career in concerned.
“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,” Hooda told Sportstar.
Deepak Hooda acquires NOC from Baroda Cricket Association
The 26-year-old Deepak Hooda has already obtained a No Objection Certificate from Baroda Cricket Association. Speaking to Sportstar, BCA secretary Ajit Lele confirmed that the association has issued an NOC to Hooda.
“We issued the NOC to him on Wednesday. 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,” Lele said.
Deepak Hooda has featured in 46 first-class and 68 List-A matches, along with 131 T20s for Baroda. In 2017, he was also named in the India squad for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, even though he had to warm the bench.