Baroda loses yet another cricketer, Hooda quits BCA

Vadodara: Seven months after he got into a fight with cricketer Krunal Pandya, senior player Deepak Hooda has quit Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). Hooda sent an email on July 13 seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the BCA to play for another association. The BCA has granted him the NOC. His exit is a setback for the association as Hooda was one of the mainstays of the team.
Hooda was banned by the BCA for one season on disciplinary grounds after he walked out of the team on the eve of a crucial T20 tournament in January this year. Hooda had accused Krunal of abusing him during the practice sessions.
“His ban was for one season. We had selected him for the camp last month but Hooda didn’t turn up for some days. Later, he said that he will join the camp on July 10. But on July 13, he sent an email informing about his unavailability and seeking NOC to play from another association,” said Shishir Hattangadi, BCA CEO.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan posted on his Facebook wall that Hooda leaving Baroda cricket is a huge loss.
Hooda has played 46 first-class games for Baroda in which he scored over 2,900 runs at an average of 42.76. He has also played for different teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I humbly request you to grant me a releasing letter/NOC in order to allow me to explore my cricketing career for the 2021-22 domestic season with some other state/association. I have made this decision keeping in mind with regards to future growth in my career and also I feel that my professional services can be utilized in a better manner and to the best of my abilities with a different team at this stage of my career,” Hooda wrote in the email to the BCA. Sources suggest that he may join the Haryana team.
On January 9, Baroda vice-captain Hooda withdrew from the team that was to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He left the bio-bubble and the hotel in which the team was staying after a heated argument with the team captain Krunal Pandya during the net practice sessions. He accused Pandya of threatening him and pulling him down.