Deepak Hooda has been one of the key players of the Baroda team for quite some time now. He made his presence felt for Kings XI Punjab too at the IPL 2020 and was looking forward to presenting his case through the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But he took everyone by surprise when he announced that he has quit the Baroda team just ahead of the tournament.
The journey of Deepak Hooda:
Deepak Hooda has been an effective allrounder in the T20 circuit. Baroda’s domestic team has always been blessed with all-rounders. The earlier decade saw the likes of the Pathan brothers dominating the scene, while this decade saw the emergence of the Pandya brothers and Hooda. Baroda team almost always appeared a force to reckon with in the shortest format. Hence it came as a shock when Hooda accused Krunal Pandya of bullying and abusing him.
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Krunal Pandya’s verbal assault on Deepak Hooda:
Hooda stated that Baroda team captain, Krunal Pandya used “abusive language” against him in front of his teammates as well as some opposition teams and even stopped him from practicing. He said the whole experience left him “demoralised, depressed and pressured”. Hooda narrated the whole episode of Krunal Pandya’s behaviour via an email to Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). The whole episode was confirmed by BCA secretary Ajit Lele, who added that Hooda has exited from the team.
Hooda’s email to Baroda Cricket Association
Deepak Hooda listed the issues in complete detail in the email he shared with the association. Hooda was quoted saying, “I am demoralised, depressed, and under pressure. As from last some days and at least from the last couple of days, my team captain Mr. Krunal Pandya is using abusive language to me in front of my teammates and also other states teams who have come for participation at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara.”
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Hooda went on to add in the mail saying, “I told him Krunal Pandya that I’m doing my preparation with the permission of head coach to which Pandya retorted that he is the captain, head coach. Pandya stated that he is overall of Baroda team.” While Hooda even mentioned the fact that he has never faced such bad behaviour by a team captain. Hooda went on to add, “ I’m a team man and I always keep my team above me. Sir, really I got hurt a lot I have a respect in my game. I have values in my life.”
While concluding his note, Hooda noted “In view of above facts, I am unable to play and perform my best under circumstances where every time our Baroda team captain poking me and disturbing me in my preparation.”
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The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which is India’s domestic T20 competition is set to begin today. Baroda will be locking horns against their group C rivals Uttarakhand at Vadodara.
