In a shocking turn of events, all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been sacked as the Baroda skipper, for the Ranji Trophy. Pathan led the team in first two rounds, where his team lost to Madhya Pradesh and conceded a lead against Andhra.

Pathan has been replaced by the youngster Deepak Hooda and has been handed the responsibility captaincy role. Talking to Indian Express about the same, Pathan said, “Performance isn’t the issue. Fitness isn’t an issue. Discipline isn’t an issue. The reason you can find out from BCA.”

Snehal Parikh, the BCA secretary, said, “The selection committee took a call to drop Irfan and pick Hooda as the captain. If you look at the season, from this year onwards we will be playing only six league games. Baroda lost to Madhya Pradesh and last game, the result didn’t go in our favor. The selectors thought it should be ideal if we try a new captain for the next game.”

Both Pathan and BCA, have had a disturbed relationship in the past. Even in the last season, Irfan was not picked for the Ranji side despite being fit. This year as well, he was handed the leadership only three days before Baroda opened their campaign against Madhya Pradesh.