Deepak Chahar determined to earn national spot back: Injuries are not in players’ hand

Indian pacer Deepak Chahar, who has fully recovered from hamstring and back problems, believes that cricketers are not responsible for their own injuries, but he is determined to reclaim his spot on the national team. The 31-year-old, who last played for India in December last year, has previously been plagued by a slew of injuries. Chahar suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the season and missed six IPL games for Chennai Super Kings. Chahar had missed the whole of the IPL due to a back injury and also sat out of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

“A player should not get disappointed by injuries. These things are not in a player’s hands. My priority right now is to remain fit and be available for the team. I will give my 100 percent for the team whenever I get a chance,” Chahar told PTI Bhasha.

“In my case it can also be said that I was having a bad time. Last year I suffered a back injury, which is serious for a fast bowler but now I am completely fit. I am very happy with my bowling at the moment. I am trying to make a comeback into the national team. I recently played the RPL (Rajasthan Premier League) tournament. Till Sunday, I was at the National Cricket Academy. I was practising with the Indian team, which is going to China for the Asian Games,” he added.

Chahar has taken 16 and 29 wickets with the ball in 13 ODIs and 24 T20Is, respectively. Chahar, on the other hand, can bat and has two half-centuries in ODIs. Chahar is not a member of India’s team for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home, but the cricketer hopes to win the elite ICC tournament at least once during his playing career.

“A cricketer’s dream is to play the World Cup and win it for the country. I will try to complete it whenever I get a chance. I have won many tournaments in my first appearance. It was my first Asia Cup when India won it in 2018. I have played five finals in last six IPL seasons and have become champions thrice,” he said.

“I have not played the World Cup yet and whenever I get a chance, I want to contribute to the team’s victory.” Chahar stated that he has learned a lot from his captain at Chennai Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“I am very lucky that I got a chance to spend time with Mahi bhai (Dhoni). I have been playing with him for many years. I consider him as my elder brother and my idol. I respect him a lot as a player and human being. I have learnt a lot from him.”