The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) took serious action against Atul Bedade, the head coach of its women’s team after some of the senior players accused him of sexual harassment and public shaming on March 21. They have also complained against Bedade for his alleged misbehavior during the Women’s Senior One-day tournament in Himachal Pradesh in February. Due to this, he has been suspended as the head coach of the Baroda women’s team, until ‘further inquiry’.
“Yes, he is being suspended with immediate effect pending an inquiry by probe committee having one neutral member from outside BCA,” BCA secretary Ajit Lele said. Further, a BCA source added, “It is standard practice (suspension) after you receive a complaint of sexual harassment.”
Ajit Lele confirmed that BCA’s apex committee would form a probe committee to look into the allegations against Bedade. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 has put the cricket operations on hold across the world, it is not yet decided as to when the probe committee will be formed.
Atul Bedade is a former India batsman having played 13 ODIs in 1994, scoring 158 runs at an average of 22.57. Prior to taking charge of women’s team, Bedade was the coach of Baroda men’s team. He took over the reins of senior women’s team last year.
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