Deepak Chahar, the talented Indian fast bowler, has endured a challenging period marked by recurring injuries. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to regain his place in the national team and set his sights on participating in the T20 World Cup next year. Chahar’s last appearance for India dates back to December 2022. Since then, he has battled back injuries and hamstring issues that hampered his progress.
However, his impressive performances in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy have reignited hopes of a comeback. With Mukesh Kumar taking leave due to personal reasons, Chahar was recalled to India’s squad for the ongoing T20I series against Australia. He could potentially make his return to the playing XI in the fourth T20I scheduled for Friday in Raipur.
While Chahar’s immediate focus lies on the upcoming T20 World Cup, he also harbors ambitions to represent India in Test cricket. However, he acknowledges the need for adequate preparation to adapt to the rigors of the red-ball format.
ALSO READ: Uganda Makes Historic T20 World Cup Breakthrough, Becomes Fifth African Nation To Qualify
“Preparation is essential in everything we do,” Deepak Chahar remarked on JioCinema. “My preparation for the Ranji Trophy and the IPL (last season) was good. I won’t be able to play a Test match if I’m informed suddenly. No one else probably can either. If I’m given a month’s notice, I can prepare accordingly. I’ll increase my workload gradually. I have the swing, I have the ideas; I just need a month to prepare. I would love to play Tests for India.”
Deepak Chahar hopes to play Test cricket 🏏#TeamIndia #TestCricket #DeepakChahar #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Hk9uJ2syTq
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) November 30, 2023
Chahar is renowned for his ability to swing the new ball and extract wickets. His recent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy have further solidified his credentials. He bagged 6/41 against Gujarat and scored an unbeaten 66 against Arunachal before receiving the national call-up.
Discussing his preferred pitch conditions, Deepak Chahar stated, “I like all pitches except those that heavily favor batsmen. I prefer slow pitches or those with some grass. On grassy pitches, it’s almost certain that you’ll be hit in the later stages. Slower pitches lack grip, so I prefer them because I can extract swing in the air.”
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Out Of South Africa Tour, Might Return For Afghanistan Series
“I rely heavily on my slower balls and have also incorporated new variations. I bowl the knuckleball. I’ve now developed a nice leg-cutter. The off-cutter works well for me. Additionally, I’ve worked on the slower bouncer,” he added.
Deepak Chahar’s determination and ability to adapt to various conditions bode well for his future prospects. His return to the national team could revitalize India’s bowling attack and strengthen their bid for T20 World Cup glory.
