VADODARA, Jul 15: Experienced batsman Deepak Hooda 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.
In January, the BCA had suspended Hooda, who had stormed out of the state team’s camp before the start of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, during last domestic season on charges of “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 hundred, 15 fifties. A right-arm off-spinner Hooda has also 20 wickets to his name.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan termed the development as a “huge loss”.
“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. (PTI)
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