‘Hopefully I play the entire season and year injury free’: Deepak Chahar
Being sidelined from the game for more than eight months last year due to a stress fracture and a quad grade 3 tear, 30-year-old Deepak Chahar is back playing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL this season. The Agra-born all-rounder, who was picked up the Chennai side for Rs 14 crore in 2022, did not play in last year’s IPL due to the injuries and was also ruled out of international cricket for a major part of last year. Even though the medium pacer failed to pick any wicket during CSK’s five-wicket loss against Gujarat Titans in the IPL opener, the medium-pacer is hopeful of playing full season for his side and help the team win the title.
“I know how to deal with injuries, but this time it was longer. It was at least eight months. For a fast bowler, coming back from an injury is a difficult task. Hopefully, I don’t get it again and I play this entire season and year injury free. I have been lucky to be part of a good team and good environment. If you have an environment, where everyone is supporting each other. And if you are always talking about winning the tournament. That’s where you reach the finals and win the finals,” Chahar told CSK TV.
Chahar played a vital part in Chennai Super Kings title winning campaign in the 2021 edition of IPL. He claimed 14 wickets in 14 matches for the team and was then picked up for Rs 14 crore in the 2022 auction. He has been in the Chennai Super Kings squad since 2016 and Chahar shared about his best memory of being part of the side. “When I played for CSK in the first season, we won. Same time when I think about that year when we won 2021, that’s my last memory. I tell everyone, if you want to enjoy a cricket match, you should come to Chennai and see CSK play at home. That atmosphere is very different. Whenever I play a CSK match here at Chepauk, I always mis those three stands. Where no crowds were sitting and we had to put hoardings. And the cheering could be heard from only one side. Now this year, the new stadium is looking amazingly good,” said Chahar.
Dencoming feeling in a 📸🤩#WhlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/NGQLzY3fEf
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 2, 2023
The 30-year-old also talked about how West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo helped him in his first year with the Chennai side. Bravo, who announced his retirement from international cricket last year, is the new bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings and Chahar believes that his presence will help the young bowlers in the team. “In the first year, Dwayne Bravo really helped me. I have had a good relationship with Bravo. He has got a huge experience and that’s good for all the youngsters. We have a lot of young fast bowlers in our team. It’s good for them to learn. I can even learn a few skills from him, especially death bowling,” said Chahar.
Having picked up a total of 59 wickets in 64 matches in IPL so far, Chahar also had some advice for the young pace bowlers. “If you think about the performance of the team, your individual performance will come automatically. After a few matches, you will end up winning for the team. But the thought process of every player should be that, I want to win every match for the team. I want to contribute in all aspects. Even if you are not able to contribute with the bat or ball, you try to contribute to the environment.” said Chahar.
