xtratime Logo

XtraTime Web Desk: The recent nationwide lockdown could be a blessing in disguise for India all rounder Deepak Chahar. The 27 year old Chahar has been out of competitive cricket since December last year after he aggravated his back injury against West Indies. The medium pacer from Rajasthan has missed the series against New Zealand early this year and was also not included in the ODI squad against South Africa at home. But the break has worked wonders for the Chennai Super Kings cricketer as he has regained full fitness. The Agra born cricketer will be hoping to make a best possible return to competitive cricket with the Indian Premier League (IPL) if the cash rich league is staged later this year.

The all rounder had a bitter experience at the start of his career as he was rejected by Greg Chappell, who was the chief of Rajasthan Cricket Academy. Two years later, he made a stunning debut in Ranji Trophy against Hyderabad, picking 8 wickets for 10 runs. Hyderabad was bundled out for 21 runs, the lowest in the history of Ranji Trophy. It was this impressive performance that soon earned him a youth contract with Rajasthan Royals development squad in October 2016. Under the influence of coaches Ian Pont and Catherine Dalton, Chahal honed his skills as a bowler.

The turning point of Chahar’s career arrived when he was picked by Chennai Super Kings following his stupendous show in 2018 Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy. He was the pick of the CSK bowlers, bowling lovely new-ball spells and accurate at the death as well to give Super Kings its third IPL title in 2018.

He was soon drafted into the Indian T20I team for the series against England in 2018. His ODI debut happened against Afghanistan in the same year during the Asia Cup in UAE. During the third ODI against West Indies he took 3 for 4 to help India win the series. But the best moment for Chahar came when he picked six wickets for 7 runs from 3.2 overs to give India the T20I series win at home against Bangladesh. He also claimed the first hat-trick by an Indian bowler in T20 format. So far in his short career in international cricket Deepak Chahar has picked 17 and 3 wickets respectively in 10 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

Back to full fitness Deepak Chahar will be hoping the wings to his international career attain full flight in the coming days.