India fast bowler Deepak Chahar will be making his return to competitive cricket in the upcoming IPL 2023 season where he will play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He had missed the IPL 2022 due to a severe back injury despite CSK buying him in the auction for INR 14 crores.
He had a rough time in 2022 as after getting fit from his back injury, he suffered a quad tear and his rehab got extended as well. He made his comeback after some time and was picked in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 as a standby player.
But he suffered another injury and missed the ICC event as well. The 30-year-old though used that time to go back to basics and work on improving his fitness. He has also fallen down in the pecking order when it comes to fast bowlers aiming to make it into the Indian team.
“My process is simple. Even when I haven’t been playing for India, it’s the same. When I was struggling with my state team, people laughed when I used to say I will play for India one day. They used to say ‘How will he play for India when he can’t even make it to the state team?'" Chahar told Sports Tak.
IPL 2023: Deepak Chahar fit and raring to go for CSK after two ‘big’ injuries last year
He further added that he wanted to be useful for the Indian team with both the ball and bat and probably be like ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya who is contributing in both departments of the game.
“I used to focus on only one thing - the day I can consistently bowl around 140kph, swing the ball both ways, there won’t be any problem getting anyone out. With the bat, I want to contribute as much as possible. A fast bowler who can bat as well will always have a place in the Indian team. My only motive is to reach that level. Performance and selection will follow," he added.
Chahar pointed out the fact that a quality fast-bowling allrounder is a rare quality and that space has less competition. He also pointed out that there is only Hardik Pandya at the moment who is doing this for India and he wanted to do the same.
“There’s less competition for a fast bowling allrounder. There’s just Hardik Pandya, he’s world’s No. 1 allrounder and he always will have a place whether he plays today or after a year. A player with such skillset has value," Chahar said.
Deepak Chahar also said that he is excited to play for CSK in front of a packed crowd in Chepauk in IPL 2023. CSK will play the opening match of the tournament which begins on March 31 against defending champions Gujarat Titans.
“I have bowled the first ball of the IPL season on three occasions and soon as the schedule for the 2023 edition was announced, I saw we have the inaugural match that will give me a chance to bowl the first ball on fourth occasion and I am pretty excited about. I am visualising myself bowling in front of a packed Ahmedabad crowd," Chahar said.
“IPL is a barometer and thus if I want to make a comeback in International cricket, performing in IPL will be crucial. Performance in every tournament matters but since IPL is the biggest stage, it gives an edge to the selection process too," he said.
(Sports Tak inputs)
