Here is why Deepak Hooda Isn’t Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match 11 Against RR

By Swapneel Deshpande 30 Mar 2025, 14:26 IST

Why Deepak Hooda Isn’t Playing Today's IPL Match 11 Against RR

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are set to face off in a crucial IPL 2025 clash as both teams look to regain momentum. CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled in their previous outing against RCB, with their fielding lapses proving costly. Their top-order, including Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, and Deepak Hooda, has failed to fire, putting extra pressure on their middle order. With Sam Curran yet to make a significant impact, CSK might consider changes to strengthen their lineup.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals are still searching for their first win of the season. Their bowling attack, which was taken apart by SRH, will rely on Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana to provide breakthroughs. The batting unit, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Riyan Parag, must step up to counter CSK’s spin-heavy attack. With both teams desperate for a win, an intense battle is on the cards.

Winning the toss, Chennai opted to bowl first. In a notable lineup adjustment, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have opted to replace all-rounder Deepak Hooda with Vijay Shankar for their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This decision comes after CSK’s recent defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where both batting and fielding shortcomings were evident.

Evaluating Hooda’s Recent Performance

Deepak Hooda’s recent outings have raised concerns within the CSK camp. In the match against RCB, Hooda’s fielding lapses were costly; notably, he dropped RCB captain Rajat Patidar twice, when Patidar was on 17 and 19 runs, respectively. These missed opportunities allowed Patidar to capitalize and significantly contribute to RCB’s imposing total.

Deepak Hooda’s recent performances for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 season have raised concerns about his place in the playing XI. In the first two matches, Hooda managed scores of just 3 and 4 runs, contributing to CSK’s struggles in the middle order. Over his IPL career spanning 120 matches, he has accumulated 1,472 runs at an average of 17.95, with eight half-centuries and a highest score of 64. Notably, his form has declined since the 2022 season, where he scored 451 runs at an average of 32.21. Given this downturn and his current lack of form, it may be prudent for CSK to consider alternative options in the middle order to bolster their batting lineup.

Offensively, Hooda’s batting has also been underwhelming. The top order, featuring Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Hooda himself, has struggled to provide substantial starts, placing additional pressure on the middle and lower order.

Introducing Vijay Shankar for Enhanced Stability

In response to these challenges, CSK has introduced Vijay Shankar into the playing XI. Shankar’s inclusion aims to bolster the team’s batting depth and offer a reliable bowling option. Known for his composure and versatility, Shankar’s presence is anticipated to provide the stability that CSK’s lineup has been lacking in the early stages of the tournament.