All-rounder Deepak Hooda has parted ways with Baroda Cricket Association and will join Rajasthan for the upcoming domestic season according to a Cricbuzz report. The Punjab Kings all-rounder r was involved in a tussle with senior all-rounder and captain Krunal Pandya last season, following which he was suspended by Baroda Cricket Association. “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. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan slammed the Baroda Cricket Association after Hooda's following Hooda's departure.
Hooda, who made his first-class debut against Bengal in December 2014, has played 46 matches scoring 2908 runs at an average 42.76. His highest first-class score of 293 came against Punjab in October 2016. He has also taken 20 wickets in the longest format of the game. He has also been a useful performer in limited-overs cricket for Baroda, aggregating 1428 runs from 40 games. In the shortest format of the game, he played 51 matches for Baroda, accumulating 993 runs at a strike rate of 138.1 with a hundred and six half-centuries. An official confirmation about Hooda’s next move to Rajasthan is still awaited but the BCA has granted him an NOC (No Objection Certificate)."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," BCA secretary Lele said.
