Deepak Chahar has set his sights on the T20 World Cup this year as he looks to cement his place in the Indian team for the showpiece event. The right-arm pacer has gone through a difficult period of late due to a series of injuries and family reasons.
He struggled with hamstring and back issues in recent months. Deepak Chahar missed the entire IPL in 2022 due to a back injury before missing six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury. The Rajasthan star also missed the last two editions of the World T20 due to injuries.
He made his long-awaited return to the Indian team during the T20I series against Australia after the ODI World Cup, but could only play one match before retiring due to his father’s health issue. He also pulled out of the South Africa tour for the same reason and has not played an international match since the Raipur T20I against Australia on December 1.
Deepak Chahar watches T20 World Cup:
Deepak Chahar is now determined to regain his place in the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup. In a recent interview, he reiterated the importance of his father in his life before explaining the reason for his decision to withdraw from the South Africa tour.
“For me, my father comes first. I’m only here for him. Everything I have achieved is due to my father. If I’m not there for him in those situations, then obviously what kind of son am I? Deepak Chahar told PTI.
“If the series was in India, I would surely have tried to play. You can come to the hospital if you need it within 4 to 5 hours. But obviously (from) South Africa it takes 2-3 days to return. It was an easy decision to be with my father; Any son would do that,” he added.
Further, Deepak Chahar explained that lack of cricket activities was the reason for his absence from the Indian team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this month. After his father’s health improved, he went to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and is now in top form.
“I was with my father in the hospital for 25 days. He was not in Agra. He was admitted to Aligarh. We all had to stay there. I was only able to do a few exercises. I couldn’t do any cricket activities. That is why he was not prepared for the series on Afghanistan. He hadn’t practiced for about a month.
“After that I went to the NCA. I started my practice again and now I am in top shape. Everything is good. I trained very hard for the IPL and the World Cup,” said Deepak Chahar.
Deepak Chahar has played 25 T20Is so far and has picked up 31 wickets. Since India will not play any T20Is before this year’s T20 World Cup, they will have to prove themselves in the IPL. A good performance in the competition will largely confirm his selection.