Punjab Kings all-rounder Deepak Hooda has decided to leave the Baroda team ahead of the 2021/22 domestic season, and now he will be playing for Rajasthan. According to a report published in Sportstar, Deepak Hooda has already obtained the ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Baroda Cricket Association.

During a conversion with Sportstar, Deepak Hooda said, ‘’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.”

Deepak Hooda’s departure from Baroda comes months after he was suspended y the state cricket association following his ugly face-off with skipper Krunal Pandya during the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. In a letter addressed to the Baroda Cricket Association, Deepak Hooda had made some damning allegations against Krunal Pandya. Hooda had also claimed that the series of events had pushed him into depression.

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In his e-mail, Deepak Hooda wrote: ‘’At this moment, I am demoralized, depressed and under pressure. As from last some days and at least from last couple of days, my team captain Mr. Kurnal Pandiya is using abusing language to me in front of my teammates and also other states teams who have come for participation at Reliance Stadium Vadodara.”

Meanwhile, former Baroda cricketer Irfan Pathan has lashed out at the state association for their failure to handle the situation that forced Deepak Hooda to quit his home team.

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Irfan Pathan had tweeted, ‘’How many cricket associations will lose out on a player who is in the Indian team probable 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!” 

How many cricket association 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!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 15, 2021

Speaking about his domestic numbers, the 26-year-old Deepak Hooda has represented Baroda in 46 First-Class, 68 List-A, and 131 T20 games, in which he had amassed as many as 2908, 2059, and 1834 runs respectively besides claiming a total of 71 wickets and scoring 13 tons across formats.