Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has suspended all-rounder Deepak Hooda for the entire Domestic season. The suspension has come on the backdrop of Hooda walking out of the team before Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20 tournament due to a verbal spat with Krunal Pandya. The suspension decision was taken on January 21 by the BCA’s apex council.
While commenting on the Hooda’s ban BCA’s Joint Secretary, Parag Patel said, “Hooda did the wrong thing by walking out of the team without discussing his issues with the management. But banning him for the entire season was unnecessary. He could have been reprimanded for his act and then allowed to play.”
The controversy broke when Hooda, the vice-captain of Baroda for the T20 tournament, walked out of team’s bio-bubble after a verbal spat with skipper Krunal Pandya. Hooda alleged Krunal of abusing him in front of other junior team members. Following that BCA warned Deepak Hooda for putting himself above the team.
BCA’s CEO, Shishir Hattangadi wrote an Email to the cricketer and stated that this misconduct will be informed to both the BCCI and his IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. In the same Email, the CEO told the apex council would put the required sanctions.
Hattangadi further stated, “Firstly, by walking away from a responsibility of vice-captaincy and leaving the team because of a difference you have sent out a message that you hold yourself above the team and that embodies your attitude and commitment to your team”.
Hooda is known for his explosive batting and all-round capabilities. He was one of the best players in Baroda’s squad for the ongoing T20 tournament. BCA might have banned the cricketer for the entire domestic season, but Kings XI Punjab have backed the all-rounder by retaining him for the next season of the IPL.