New Delhi, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India all-rounder Deepak Hooda is set to return to his home state Baroda for the ongoing domestic season, ending a five-year absence following his controversial departure from the team after a feud with then skipper Krunal Pandya.
Hooda, 31, had left Baroda and joined Rajasthan after being suspended by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) for indiscipline. The action followed his departure from the team hotel and bio-bubble on the eve of Baroda’s opening match in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Hooda had alleged that Pandya verbally abused and bullied him during a practice session.
BCA Chief Executive Officer Snehal Parikh confirmed on Thursday that the differences involving Hooda, Pandya and the association had been resolved.
“Yes, Deepak is going to play for Baroda again in domestic cricket. He got everything from Baroda and is now back to play for us once again. I would say there were no issues. But if there were issues, I believe they have been sorted now,” Parikh told IANS.
Hooda, who also bowls useful off-spin, has represented India in 10 ODIs and 21 T20Is. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Baroda and has accumulated 4,267 first-class runs at an average of 45.39, including 14 centuries. He has also scored nearly 3,972 runs in T20 cricket and 3,340 in List A cricket.
“The best thing is, our local boy is coming back home. We are very happy for the homecoming of our own boy and glad to have him back. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for us and he’s the second player after me to score a century in the first game,” Parikh said.
Parikh also confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will continue as Baroda’s guest player but will feature only in white-ball cricket, while pacer Rasikh Salam will remain available across formats.
The association has also appointed former India pacer and 2011 ODI World Cup winner Munaf Patel as a mentor and pace-bowling coach. Patel previously served as bowling coach of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 and 2026.
Baroda’s new head coach R Prasanna, a former Tamil Nadu batter, is already with the team at the KSCA-Dr. (Capt.) K. Thimmappaiah Memorial Tournament.
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