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Amidst Release Rumours, CSK Batter Smashes 13th Century In First-Class Cricket
Follow UsHe had a nightmare IPL 2025, struggling to buy a run all season
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Deepak Hooda might be a near-certainty to get released ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) mini auction, but the 30-year-old has begun the new domestic season on a fine note, smashing a century for Rajasthan in a home fixture against Chhattisgarh.
Batting at No.4, Hooda, walking in at 26/2, played a crucial hand as he ended the day unbeaten on 101, with Rajasthan still trailing by 117. A free-flowing knock saw Hooda hit 11 fours and a six to help his side get closer to Chhattisgarh’s total of 332.
Hooda has been in the news in the last week or so, mainly due to reports suggesting that the 30-year-old will inevitably be released by CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The veteran batter had a horror IPL 2025 as he managed just 31 runs at an average of 6.20 and a strike rate of 75.
His form contributed to CSK finishing bottom of the table for the first time in their history, and Hooda also became an easy target for opposition fans, thanks to him not being able to buy a run the entire season.
It goes without saying that the 30-year-old will have to showcase extraordinary form in this new domestic season to find a buyer at the IPL 2026 auction. He has played 125 IPL matches and averages just 17.60. He’s also just taken 10 wickets overall, with his last wicket coming four seasons ago, in the 2022 edition.
That being said, Hooda still has very good red-ball numbers. This was his 13th FC century, and he’s scored nearly 4,000 red-ball runs at an average of 44.00.