As IPL 2026 retentions draw nearer, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) now face the luxury of a selection dilemma. After a stormy and disappointing IPL 2025 season for Hooda, Deepak, he has come back with a bang with his double ton in Ranji Trophy 2025-26, rekindling the hopes that he would hold onto his place in the CSK lineup.
A Stunning Comeback by Hooda in the Ranji Trophy
Hooda played an incredible knock: 248 runs off 335 balls, studded with 22 fours and 2 sixes — a textbook example of patience mixed with power, for Rajasthan. This was Hooda’s second century in three matches after he had also scored 130 runs against Chhattisgarh. His resurgence has now made him a vital pillar for Rajasthan but also firmly back on CSK’s radar.
Rajasthan took the WP lead of 617/6 from 1st innings on a thunderous score, bowling out Mumbai for 254. At close of Day 3, Mumbai were 89 for no loss, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Musheer Khan looking solid.
From Struggles to Redemption in IPL
Having come up with just 31 runs in seven games for CSK in 2025, it manifested a crisis for Hooda’s international career with the franchise. His domestic revival might now lead CSK management to give him a shot for at least one more year, especially given his all-round abilities and confidence.
Experience and Value for CSK
The 30-year-old has represented India in 10 ODIs and 21 T20 Internationals, having more than 500 international runs down, including a T20I century. In first-class cricket, the higher side of 3,856 runs in 62 matches has been his total, a testament that makes him all the more dependable as a domestic performer.
For a man capable of coming in middle order and providing spin off-break, Hooda’s getting his rhythm back is an impeccable time for CSK—an outfit that trusts experience and consistency.
The Road Ahead
Forced to take a hard look at his red-hot domestic form, the approaching IPL 2026 retention deadline may well be the moment for CSK to finally pack Deepak Hooda in their keep core group. His resurgence adds an aura to the batting depth for Chennai but also brings balance to the team one last time before the much-awaited mini auction.
