IPL 2023: “Everything's okay,” Deepak Chahar plays down injury concerns after CSK’s win over GT in Qualifier 1

Chahar appeared to pull up while taking Shami’s catch that sealed the deal for CSK.

Deepak Chahar | BCCI-IPLChennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar played down injury concerns after playing a key role in his team’s 15-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023 at Chepauk on Tuesday (May 23).

Defending the total of 172, CSK bundled out GT for 157 in 20 overs. Chahar bowled exceptionally well with the new ball and at the death, returning with the figures of 2 for 29 in his four overs.

However, Chahar appeared to pull up while taking Mohammad Shami’s catch that sealed the deal for CSK. He seemed to be in a bit of discomfort but the fast bowler played it down.

“Everything's okay, one more to go,” he said in the post-match interview.

Talking about his bowling, Chahar added, “I think the length, we saw them bowling, it was sticking and we decided to bowl a full length, didn't experiment too much, let them (the batters) take the risks.”

Besides Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja (2-18), Maheesh Theekshana (2-28) and Matheesha Pathirana (2-37) picked up two wickets each for CSK.

CSK’s pace spearhead said he asked the young bowlers to keep calm, adding that his experience of playing in playoffs came in handy.

“Chasing 170 in a semi-final with the crowd against you is difficult. I have played in playoffs before, I just told them about the pressure, I just asked them to confident about their skills, just one ball or catch is very important at this stage,” Chahar stated.

“We have the belief, we have done it so many times (on reaching the finals), the benefit of having seniors in big contests matter a lot, we have been there previously and it does help,” he concluded.

With the victory, CSK qualified for the IPL 2023 final, scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 28).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 24 May, 2023

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