Deepak Chahar is one of the most promising young bowlers of Indian cricket. Time and again he has shown why he is considered the best swing bowler among the lot. But again, when it comes to fitness, he has not been able to make a mark. It has been more than eight months since he was last seen in action as he sustained a stress fracture and a quad grade 3 tear.
The 30-year-old pacer who was roped in by the Chennai side for Rs 14 crore could not play last year’s IPL due to an injury and also missed out on playing for India. He is making a comeback in this 2023 edition of IPL but he did not have a great start as he went wicketless in the first encounter against Gujarat Titans.
However, the Agra-based bowler is sure that he will be playing the entire season this year for CSK.
“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 crucial role in CSK’s title-winning year in the 2021 edition of IPL as he scalped 14 wickets in 14 matches for the team. He has been donning a Yellow jersey since 2016 and because of his IPL 2021’ performance, CSK was forced to get him into the squad by paying him a whopping amount of Rs 14 crore in the 2022 auction.
“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.