NEWS
Follow UsDeepak Hooda, a rising star in the Indian domestic cricket circuit, has expectedly left the Baroda cricket team after a fall-out with skipper Krunal Pandya last season. He has been granted NOC by the Baroda Cricket Association. The development was confirmed to PTI on Thursday by BCA secretary Ajit Lele. Reports suggest that he will be making a move to Rajasthan.
In January, the BCA had suspended Hooda, who had stormed out of the camp before the start of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the last domestic season for "indiscipline" and "bringing disrespect to the game." Hooda had claimed that Krunal had misbehaved with him.
The 26-year-old Hooda, who made his first-class debut in 2014, has played 46 matches and scored 2,908 runs, with nine hundreds and 15 fifties. A right-arm off-spinner, Hooda also has 20 wickets to his name.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan, a stalwart of Baroda Cricket, termed the development as a huge loss.
How many cricket association will loose 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!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 15, 2021
How many cricket associations will loose 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, tweeted Pathan.
Irfan's brother and former India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan too echoed similar sentiments.
"Deepak Hooda was impressive and made a mark in all three domestic formats for Baroda. He was a match winner and his exit will be a big loss for the team. A game changer like him has a bright future ahead. I wish him all the best," tweeted Yusuf.