Baroda all-rounder, Irfan Pathan, has commented on the decision of Baroda Cricket Association to drop him as the captain of the side. It was the first time when Irfan came out in open to respond to the queries about the matter,
“I have no idea, no reason was given, I haven’t heard from the selectors. Why should I ask them? If they have any problem, they should let me know. They should have proper communication channel…if they don’t like me they should have told me at the start of the season or at end of the season. If they are announcing me as a captain and mentor for the whole season, how can anyone be bad in just two games. Especially after scoring 80 runs and bowling well, hitting the right patches and areas,” Irfan told Wisden India.
This matter reveals that he was not communicated when selectors decided to drop him as the captain, despite the fact that he assumed the role of player cum mentor for the players at the start of the season. In fact, it was learnt that he was announced as the captain for the full season, but selectors did not keep their promise and dropped him after two games.
Young Deepak Hooda has been given the role in leading the team and it would be pretty difficult for him to perform with a young side, which does not have captain Irfan and senior all-rounder, Yusuf Pathan as well.
However, selectors had also cleared that the team was just for one game, which means that if Baroda continues to underperform in the tournament, then there can be a comeback for Irfan Pathan. He is one of the most experienced players in the side and surely, the team needs his services, especially in a situation like this.
Deepak Hooda will be looking to turn the fortunes against Tripura who have strong players like Yashpal Singh and Smit Patel in their side. Tripura have two points in three games and are placed at the second last position in the points table, just above Baroda.
Baroda will face Tripura in their next game from November 1-4 at Reliance Stadium in Vadodara. They are placed at last position on the points table with one loss and one draw, in which they conceded the first innings lead.
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