After replacing the all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the Indian squad for the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the 26-year-old Indian pacer Deepak Chahar has claimed that he was confident of that selection.

After impressing with the ball in hand in domestic T20 cricket, Chahar carried his form in the IPL 2018 that brought an opportunity for him to make his debut in international cricket for the Indian cricket team through the T20I. He made his T20I debut during the Bristol T20I between England and India in this July and it is his only international cricket match till the date. India won that game by 7 wickets while Chahar took one wicket.

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Now, Chahar has been selected for the ongoing ODI tournament. Talking about the competition in the Indian cricket team, Chahar said that everyone has to be mentally strong and must be able to handle pressure.

According to Sportstar, Chahar said, “I was confident of selection. One cannot be sad when ignored for a series. If a player misses out on IPL or Ranji Trophy, which happens once a year, missing out gives you a sad feeling. But, once you are on the India radar, selections and tours happen very frequently. So, you are always under the selectors’ eye sight.

“IPL gives you the skill set to play at the highest level. Once you get there, it is all about being confident. We have to be mentally strong and must be able to handle pressure. As a player, one needs to know and back their strengths. That’s the most important.”

Chahar also claimed that he has learnt a lot off from MS Dhoni, his skipper in the IPL 2018 team Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Even, in his previous two IPL seasons (2016 and 2017), Chahar was in Rising Pune Supergiants, where Dhoni also represented. Chahar feels that Dhoni has a lot of confidence in him.

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Chahar commented on that, “More than on the field, I have learnt a lot off the field from Dhoni. I spent a lot of time in his room as I had adjacent rooms during the IPL. It is very interesting to note how he thinks about cricket, off the field.

“It is heartening to know that I have Dhoni’s backup. He has a lot of confidence in me. Just before the IPL, Dhoni had actually told someone that I will play all matches. It is a huge thing to have the skipper’s confidence. He supports juniors and that is what a junior need. It gives us a special feeling when a player like him backs you and gives the confidence that I can play for the country.”