Indian pacer Deepak Chahar has very little time to secure a late berth in the Indian squad for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup. Pacer Chahar had to take a long break from competitive cricket after suffering a back injury. The record-signing of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also missed the entire season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Chahar was recovering from a quadricep tear at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) when he picked up a back injury while undergoing rehab in Bengaluru.
Chahar has made a comeback to the Indian team after nearly missing out on six months of competitive cricket. The Indian pacer is a part of the white-ball squad for the ongoing One Day International (ODI) series between India and hosts Zimbabwe. The Indian pacer is also on the list of standby players for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup. Before making a sensational return to international cricket on Thursday, pacer Chahar said that the recovery phase was nothing but a long vacation for the CSK star.
“It was a long vacation for me. Now fully fit and back. [There is] tough competition in the Indian team and it has been high since I started playing. If I get an opportunity, I can do the job with the new ball and bat in the lower-order. It is about performing and I don’t think about opportunities,” Chahar said. The Indian pacer is expected to join the Indian camp for the Asia Cup after the conclusion of the ODI series between India and Zimbabwe.
“It should help the seam bowlers due to the cool breeze. The stats also suggest that it helps fast bowlers early in the morning. I have been working on my batting for many years, but I get very less opportunities. Last year, I batted in just four matches and I did well, so hoping to do well if I get a chance,” Chahar added. Chahar was named in the Indian playing XI for the 1st ODI between India and the host nation. The returning pacer emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Rahul-led side in the 1st ODI. Pacer Chahar bagged three wickets and leaked 27 runs in 7 overs.
