Exclusive — IPL 2020: CSK’s Deepak Chahar ready for comeback; excited to play under captain MS Dhoni again

By Aprameya C | First Published Aug 5, 2020, 4:20 PM IST

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) paceman Deepak Chahar, in an exclusive interview with Asianet Newsable, shared his excitement over his comeback to play IPL 2020 in the UAE and also how it will be for him to see MS Dhoni back in action in the yellow jersey

Bengaluru: This year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) was to start on March 29 but was postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This has been a blessing in disguise for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) paceman Deepak Chahar, who was set to miss the cash-rich Twenty20 league due to injury.

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Now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the 13th edition of the IPL will be played from September 19 to November 10 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And, a fit-again Deepak is excited to be playing again for CSK under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

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In an exclusive chat with Asianet Newsable on Wednesday (August 5), Deepak said he is fully fit and is ready to don the CSK jersey again.

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“I have been bowling since two-and-a-half months. I had sufficient time to recover from my injury during the (coronavirus) lockdown. Now, I have fully recovered,” Deepak, who was sidelined from India ODI duty in December 2019 due to a stress fracture in his lower back, said.

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After featuring in the second ODI against the West Indies in Visakhapatnam on December 18, 2019, Deepak was ruled out of the series decider in Cuttack on December 22.

“Obviously, it takes time to get back into rhythm when you have not bowled for a long time. Now, I am feeling better and stronger, come backing from my injury,” the 27-year-old right-arm bowler, who is training in his hometown Agra, said.

Deepak, who took a world record 6/7 including a hat-trick against Bangladesh in a T20I in Nagpur in November 2019, said everyone is excited to see IPL.

“I think, it is not only, everyone is excited about IPL. We were all looking forward for the IPL. Even for the fans, there is not much live sport on TV (due to the coronavirus pandemic). I am sure, IPL will entertain fans. My last match was in December (2019). I was waiting for IPL to happen,” Deepak said.

Deepak made his ODI debut in Dubai in September 2018, against Afghanistan. But he admits that he doesn’t have “good memories” of that Asia Cup game where he bowled only four overs for 1/37 and the game ended in a tie. It was also the match where Dhoni returned as captain after Rohit Sharma was rested for the ‘Super Four’ contest.

When asked about bowling in the UAE, Deepak said, “I don't have good memories (of playing in Dubai). Obviously, there are challenges. But having played for CSK on such grounds, it will help me to perform better.”

With Dhoni not having played cricket since the ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand in July last year, fans are eagerly waiting to see the CSK skipper back in action. Deepak too is looking forward to play under him. “It is always exciting to play with Mahi bhai (Dhoni). Not only me, everyone is looking forward to watch Mahi bhai in IPL.”

Deepak said he and other CSK players are waiting to hear from the franchise about when they have to assemble for a training camp.

“The BCCI has given (COVID) guidelines. The team will follow them. We haven't got any information so far from the team management about a preparatory camp. We are waiting for it. We may get to know in the next few days. I have heard that we are going early (to UAE),” he said.

Talking about playing in COVID-19 times with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from the BCCI to be followed during the IPL, Deepak said, “It will be different and challenging. We have been under a lockdown for so many months. I feel it will be better for us playing cricket. It will be challenging as well as exciting.”

Bowling six to eight overs daily during practice sessions, Deepak’s goal for now is to remain fit for the entire duration of the IPL and do well for CSK. “I am looking forward to play good cricket. For now, my only goal is to remain fit and play the whole IPL.”

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