After missing a few T20I matches in recent days, the young cricketer Deepak Chahar’s eyes are on the upcoming T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Deepak Chahar eyes on T20 World Cup
Deepak Chahar was out of the T20I squad during India’s South Africa tour and Afghanistan’s India tour due to the personal challenges he faced during the period.
On this occasion, The seamer is ready to make his comeback to the T20I squad and sights on the T20 World Cup which is set to be hosted by the USA and West Indies.
He had to miss the recent tours after his father suffered a brain stroke from which he has recovered now. India has no T20I matches until the World Cup in June.
Chahar now has to rely only on IPL which is the only chance for him to make cut through into India’s T20 World Cup squad.
While speaking in the media said, “For me, my father comes first. I am here only because of him. Whatever I have achieved is because of my father. If I am not there for him in those situations, then obviously, what kind of son I am?”
“If the series was in India, then I would have surely tried to play. You can come to the hospital if you need within 4-5 hours. But obviously, [from] South Africa it takes 2-3 days to come back.
“It was an easy decision to be with my father. Any son would do that.”
Chahar said while he did not get a lot of time to train apart from doing fitness-related work, he went to the NCA to work on his reading as he eyes a spot in India’s T20 World Cup Squad.
“I was with my father in the hospital for 25 days. He was admitted to Aligarh. We all had to stay there,” he said.
“I was only able to do some exercises. I was not able to do any cricketing activities. That’s why I was not ready for the Afghanistan series. I had not practiced for a month or so.
“After that, I went to the NCA. I started my practice again and now I am fully fit. Everything is good. I trained really hard for the IPL and the World Cup.”
Chahar said that he has other options for him to push for his selection for the T20 World Cup. “I have missed two [T20] World Cups because of my injuries,” he said.
“If I was fully fit, I would have been a part of the World Cup team as well. In any scenario or any team combination, there is always a requirement for a bowler who can bat at Nos. 7, 8, 9. I have done that and scored runs for the Indian team.”
Chahar credits MS Dhoni for using his career and giving it longevity but does not want the CSK captain to retire from IPL anytime soon.
“It took me two-three years to get comfortable around him,” Chahar said of Dhoni. “I see him as an elder brother and I think he treats me as a younger brother.
“I would say because of him only I got a chance to play for India because, before that, he gave me a really big chance to play all the 14 games in IPL. In 2018, I played all the 14 games.”
Chahar said Dhoni has been struggling with a Knee injury from last year and should stop taking responsibility in the CSK set up this stage of his career and look forward to enjoying his game.
“I personally think he has a lot to give to cricket. He can play for another two or three seasons. I have seen him bat in the nets. Obviously, he had an injury that anyone can have, people at 24 have that same injury that he has.
“He has recovered well. For me personally, he should play for another two to three years. [But] it’s his call. He told everyone he was going to play his last game in Chennai.”
“I think he will only decide. For us, it will be very difficult to play for CSK without him. Everyone has [always] seen CSK with Mahi bhai,” Chahar said.
“He should not be taking it at this time because it is the end of his career. He should be enjoying, not taking responsibility and pressure on the team. He has prepared so many cricketers like Ravindra Jadeja and other players, those who can do that job, they are good at it.”
“I have felt the same environment when I made my debut for Rajasthan. We won two titles. I still remember the atmosphere of the team was very different,” he said.
“You need to create an environment. Players are the same, players don’t change,” he concluded.
India will be playing their first T20 World Cup match against Ireland on June 05, 2024, at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
