Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: All-rounder Krunal Pandya has decided to step down as Baroda team captain from the forthcoming domestic season. In a move that surprises many, the Mumbai Indians star informed the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) president Pranav Amin through email on Friday evening. The 30-year-old resigned with reports suggesting differences with the selectors over squad selection.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Krunal Pandya steps down as Baroda captain after alleged rift with selectors
In his email, which was accessed by The Indian Express, Krunal Pandya wrote voiced his willingness to continue featuring for Baroda but distanced himself from the role of a leader. He wrote, “This is to put on record that I will be unavailable to lead Baroda in the current domestic season. However, I will be available for selection to play for the team. I will offer my best as a team member and player to Baroda cricket. My support and contribution will always be in the best interest of the team.”
Under Krunal Pandya’s captaincy, the team had an underwhelming run in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where they finished last in Group B. The team managed to win just one game in five matches and failed to qualify for the knock-outs for the domestic T20 tournament.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Krunal Pandya steps down as Baroda captain after alleged rift with selectors
Pandya’s own form nosedived, as the 30-year-old scored just 87 runs with one-half century and took five wickets at an economy rate of 5.94. This came under the charge of new Baroda coach Dav Whatmore, whose tenure at the team got off to a disappointing start. Sources in the association said that there were allegations of favouritism in the selection of the playing squad. “A player who wasn’t included in the playing eleven got very upset and had a verbal duel with the selectors,” said sources in the BCA to the Times of India.
It is understood that BCA will now appoint veteran Kedar Devdhar as captain while left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt is likely to be appointed vice-captain of the team for upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is scheduled to be played next month. Devdhar had previously captained the team to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Krunal Pandya steps down as Baroda captain after alleged rift with selectors
The Mumbai Indians star took over as skipper two seasons ago, but his time as captain was marred by a few controversies. Last year, Deepak Hooda had written an email to BCA where he had made a series of allegations about Pandya after he had spat with the Mumbai Indians player. Deepak Hooda then quit BCA in favour of Rajasthan this season.
“At this moment, I am demoralised, depressed and under pressure. As from the past few days, my team captain Mr Kurnal Pandiya is using abusing language towards me in front of my teammates and also other state teams who have come for participation at Reliance Stadium Vadodara,” Deepak Hooda, who represented Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, wrote. Hooda later decided to move on from BCA and represented Rajasthan this season.
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