Deepak Chahar, who played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018, feels it is difficult to make it to the national team considering the level of competition for each spot. However, Chahar is fairly confident about his all-round abilities to make a difference.
"I can bat too. I was drafted in as a replacement for Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup. So I want to prove myself as a batsman also. I want to be the all-rounder in the side who can bowl with the new ball. I want to train myself in such a manner that if selectors want a new ball bowler, they pick me, and also if they want an all-rounder they pick me," he told IANS.
Chahar also expressed his wish to make the most of the batting opportunities in the Indian Premier League next year.
"I got runs in one of the IPL matches. Mahi bhai sent me up the order. This year, I hope to get more opportunities with the bat to prove myself. The team gets balance when a fast bowler bats well too. This is a terrific Indian side. You are always expected to behave like the No.1 side in the dressing room. Look at the options the team has and the depth in squad. It won't be easy for me to be a regular," he added.
Chahar replaced injured all-rounder Pandya in the Asia Cup 2018. The 26-year-old didn’t have an impressive outing in his debut ODI against Afghanistan. Chahar was not given a chance to complete his quota of 10 overs after he conceded 37 runs in his first 4 overs.
"The start was not good. But I will hope to get another chance. I am working really hard. The IPL has helped me a lot. When IPL was not there, debutants used to feel the pressure playing in front of big crowds. But with the IPL, you have already experienced that pressure before making coming into the international circuit," Chahar asserted.
Highlighting Dhoni's influence in his fledgling career thus far, the right-armer said: "He (Dhoni) used me so well in the IPL and he is always effusive in praise of me. When Dhoni bhaiya speaks highly of someone, people take it seriously. He made me play all the matches and later told me that he wanted that. He had told the management that Deepak will play every game. That matters a lot. We won the IPL and performing in the IPL matters. I have been doing well in domestic cricket since a long time. If you have to play for India, you have to also do well in the IPL and show that you can handle pressure."
