Deepak Hooda gets into rift with RCA over team selection

A new controversy is brewing in Rajasthan cricket, built around a disagreement in team selection between the senior players and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee omitted wicketkeeper batter Kunal Singh Rathore from Rajasthan’s squad for the fourth-round fixture against Hyderabad in Jaipur, which began on November 6.

According to the Times of India, the omission happened without any information to the captain, Deepak Hooda and the vice-captain, Deepak Chahar. Unhappy with the call, both Hooda and Chahar resigned from their positions. 

Hooda also didn’t attend the practice session on the eve of the match. Consequently, the ad hoc panel conceded to the senior players' demands, and Rathore was included in the squad for this fixture. 

Given all the drama that unfolded on the eve of the match, the ad hoc panel requested Hooda continue his captaincy role at least for this match.

“The senior players disapproved of certain players and it has been learned that the squad released was not the same as it was discussed by the selectors and the captain,” a source told TOI.

“There are a few names which have made a back door entry in the squad and that did not go down well with the senior players. It's a good sign that this time, all the seniors have raised their voices against such corrupt practices, which are not new at the RCA. I hope Hooda and Chahar continue as the captain and as the vice-captain and the matter is addressed by the state sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore," the source revealed further.

Ad hoc panel member Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat said Hooda and Chahar didn’t resign from their posts but were unhappy with Rahore's omission. 

“Nothing like this happened. Yes, Rathore was not included in the official squad because he doesn't have any performance to show. So we thought of giving another wicketkeeper-batter, Rajkumar Saini chance, who has done well in the Challenger Trophy and Colvin Shield," he said.

Shedding more light on the development, Shekhawat said, “Hooda told us that the fourth game is a crucial one, and he can't afford to bring in a new batter. He added that he won't be able to captain the side if his choice of players are not there. Hooda also said that he is looking for stability in the side. I feel he is right in his thinking.”

Rathore was included in the XI for the clash against Hyderabad, with Hooda and Chahar also featuring in their respective leadership roles. Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bat first.

Rajasthan are placed fourth on the points table in the Elite B group, with two draws and one win that came against Himachal Pradesh in their second fixture. 

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