IPL 2021: Deepak Hooda comes under scanner for social media post possibly violating anti-corruption guidelines

While Punjab Kings all-rounder Deepak Hooda couldn’t do much in his first assignment of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021’s UAE leg, he grabbed attention due to a different reason. Hooda’s social media post ahead of the game against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday (September 21) has put him under the scanner. Apparently, the dasher might found himself in hot waters for breaching the anti-corruption guidelines in his post.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Moreover, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) — headed by Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala — is currently keeping a close eye on the IPL being played in UAE. Hours before the game against the Sanju Samson-led side, Hooda took to Twitter and posted a picture that shows him putting on the team helmet.

“Here we go @punjabkingsipl #pbksvsrr #ipl2021 #saddapunjab,” he wrote in the caption. As the officials suspect this post violates the anti-corruption guidelines, the ACU team will investigate into the matter. An ACU official said while the Instagram post missed the team, they will definitely look into it to see if it violates the rules set by the BCCI ACU.

Here we go💪@PunjabKingsIPL #PBKSvRR #IPL2021 #SADDAPUNJAB pic.twitter.com/UfujNTU9QG

— Deepak Hooda (@HoodaOnFire) September 21, 2021

ACU will look into Deepak Hooda’s post: ACU official

“ACU will look into this post. Our restrictions are that there shall not be any talk about the composition of the team,” the official was quoted as saying by Cricket Addictor. On being asked about how cricketers should react to social media messages from fans and followers, the official said: “There is a guideline on the dos and don’ts.”

Ahead of the last year’s IPL in UAE, former ACU chief Ajit Singh had said that social media interactions were being closely monitored by his team.

“See, while the number of venues is less, the hurdles of physical movement due to the coronavirus pandemic also means that approaches if any will be made through social media. So, we are going to be closely monitoring the same and ensuring that there is nothing that escapes the team’s eyes,” Inside Sports quoted Ajit Singh as saying.

Meanwhile, Hooda failed to make a mark against Rajasthan Royals. He bagged a two-ball duck as Punjab narrowly lost the game by two runs in Dubai. The KL Rahul-led side’s next outing is against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 25 in Sharjah.