All-rounder Deepak Hooda has reportedly quit the Baroda team ahead of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, alleging that he was "bullied" by the team captain, Krunal Pandya. Hooda alleged that Krunal Pandya used "abusive language" against him in front of his teammates as well as some opposition teams and also stopped him from practicing. Hooda said he was left "demoralised, depressed and under pressure" by Krunal Pandya's behaviour in an email to Baroda Cricket Association secretary Ajit Lele, who confirmed Hooda's exit from the team.
"I am demoralised, depressed and under pressure. As from last some days and atleast from last couple of days, my team captain Mr. Krunal Pandya 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," ESPNcricinfo quoted Hooda as saying in his email to the Baroda Cricket Association.
"I told him (Pandya) that I'm doing my preparation with the permission of head coach. He told me that "I'm the captain , who is the head coach. I am the overall of Baroda team," Hooda further wrote.
""I never face such a bad behaviour given by a team captain. I'm a team man and I always keep my team above me. Sir, really I got hurt a lot I have a respect in my game. I have values in my life," Hooda wrote.
"In view of above facts, I am unable to play and perform my best under circumstances where every time our Baroda team captain poking me and disturbing me in my preparation," he concluded.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - India's domestic T20 competition - is set to get underway today. Bardoa is placed in Elite Group C and will kick off their campaign against Uttarakhand in Vadodara.