Fit-again Deepak Chahar eyes India comeback

Fast bowler Deepak Chahar has missed a huge chunk of competitive cricket over the last few months owing to injuries. He missed the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 due to a back injury and could not participate in the T20 World Cup in Australia. Chahar returned to action for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) earlier this year but, again, had to miss six matches due to a hamstring injury.

However, he is now fit again, participated in the Rajasthan Premier League (RPL) recently, and was also with the Asian Games-bound Indian team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

"A player should not get disappointed by injuries. These things are not in a player's hand. My priority right now is to remain fit and be available for the team. I will give my 100 percent for the team whenever I get a chance," Chahar told PTI Bhasha on Tuesday (September 19).

"In my case, it can also be said that I was having a bad time. Last year, I suffered a back injury, which is serious for a fast bowler, but now I am completely fit. I am very happy with my bowling at the moment.

"I am trying to make a comeback into the national team. I recently played the RPL tournament. Till Sunday, I was at the National Cricket Academy. I was practising with the Indian team, which is going to China for the Asian Games," he added.

Further underlying his credentials, Chahar, who is not part of the upcoming World Cup, says his dream is to play and win a major trophy for his country.

"A cricketer's dream is to play the World Cup and win it for the country. I will try to complete it whenever I get a chance," Chahar, who last played for India in December 2022, said.

"I have won many tournaments in my first appearance. It was my first Asia Cup when India won it in 2018. I have played five finals in the last six IPL seasons and have become champions thrice.

"I have not played the World Cup yet, and whenever I get a chance, I want to contribute to the team's victory."

Chahar, who has picked up 45 wickets in 37 white-ball games for India, has also acknowledged the impact MS Dhoni, his captain at CSK, has had on his career.

"I am very lucky that I got a chance to spend time with Mahi bhai. I have been playing with him for many years. I consider him as my elder brother and my idol. I respect him a lot as a player and human being. I have learnt a lot from him," the 31-year-old said.

India's next assignment after the World Cup is a five-match T20I series against Australia at home, followed by the South Africa tour, where they will play three ODIs, three T20Is and a couple of Tests. Chahar will be hoping to be in contention for those matches.