![Deepak Hooda left Baroda five years ago after fight with Krunal [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788422122853_DeepakHoodaleftBarodafiveyearsagoafterfightwithKrunal.jpg?type=hq)
Deepak Hooda left Baroda five years ago after fight with Krunal [Source: AFP]
Five years after Deepak Hooda left Baroda to join Rajasthan in the domestic competition, the right-handed player is back representing his former team, as he ended his long-standing feud with Baroda skipper, Krunal Pandya.
He joined the Rajasthan side in the 2021-22 domestic edition after severing ties with Baroda, but after five years, Hooda decided to go back to his former team for the upcoming domestic season.
Hood left Baroda after fight with Krunal Pandya
Hooda had moved to Rajasthan after being banned for the 2020-21 domestic season for indiscipline. On the eve of Baroda’s first match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in January 2021, Hooda moved out of the team hotel, alleging that Baroda captain Krunal Pandya’s bad behaviour and bullying nature made him depressed.
The constant abuse made him demoralised and under pressure, and he decided to walk out. The right-handed batter sent an email to the Baroda Cricket Association Secretary, in which he accused Krunal of abusing him in front of his teammates and the opposition players.
According to Hooda, Krunal Pandya stopped him from training, despite having the permission of the head coach. However, five years after the event, the two players have reconciled, as Hooda is back with the Baroda team.
"Yes, Deepak is coming back to Baroda. He and Krunal (Pandya) have spoken to each other. Everything is sorted between them," Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) CEO Snehal Parikh confirmed to TOl on Thursday.
What does Hooda bring to the table for Baroda five years after departure?
The Baroda side needs an experienced batter in the middle order, someone who can bring a calming presence in the dressing room, and Deepak Hooda fits the bill perfectly.
At 31, the talented player has enough experience playing in the domestic circuit, and Baroda wants his experience to come in handy for them in the upcoming season. He knows the setup inside out, and the team also knows his strengths and weaknesses.
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He brings runs to the table for Baroda, and apart from that, the right-handed batter is also a handy bowler in first-class cricket, with 29 wickets to his name.
Moreover, he has been in decent touch, and Baroda would want him to continue the same momentum in the upcoming domestic season.
How Hooda has fared in Indian domestic circuit?
A domestic veteran, the 31-year-old player is known more for his red-ball prowess than white-ball ability.
He has played 67 first-class matches and has added 4267 runs, with a solid average of 45.39, including 14 hundreds and 18 fifties. His best first-class score has been a stellar 293 against Punjab, but he struggled to convert his starts thereafter.
Not only in red-ball cricket, but Hooda has done decently in white-ball cricket as well. In 109 List-A games, Hooda has accumulated 3340 runs, with an average of 38.83, including 6 hundreds to his name.
Apart from this, the Rohtak-born has also played 230 T20 matches, and has scored 3972 runs, with a strike-rate of 138.88.
Apart from showcasing his class in the domestic circuit, Hooda has also played for India in 10 ODIs and 21 T20I matches.
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