Deepak Chahar: Coming back from a string of big injuries in 2022 is tough work

Deepak Chahar injuries: Coming back from a string of big injuries in 2022 is tough work mentally, Deepak Chahar feels. He was out for most of the first half of 2022 and then had a stop-start second half of the year, and has now gone two IPL games without a wicket. It will take time to get back to peak form, he said.

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Deepak Chahar injuries: Coming back from a string of big injuries in 2022 is tough work

“Mentally it’s very tough,” Chahar told select Indian newspapers in Chennai. “I had two major injuries, which are critical for a fast bowler. Other pacers are also struggling with a stress fracture in the back. It takes a long time to recover from that.

“When you start playing it takes time to get back to your best, it takes time mentally and physically, and I’m getting there slowly.”

Chahar had suffered a quadricep injury in February 2022, and while undergoing rehabilitation

Chahar suffered a quadricep injury in February 2022, and while undergoing rehabilitation for that, he hurt his back. That turned out to be a stress fracture, and he was sidelined for six months overall. He returned for India’s ODI series in Zimbabwe in August and showed signs of getting back to his best. Chahar was named in India’s reserves for the T20 World Cup – but then had to sit out again, from an ODI series against South Africa, because of a stiff back. He returned for the tour of Bangladesh in December but was forced off the field after bowling just three overs with what turned out to be a quadricep tear. He played no further part in India’s home season, and has played just the lone game this year – a Ranji Trophy matches for Rajasthan – coming into the IPL.

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He had told PTI that such injuries were particularly hard on pacers

Before the IPL, he had told PTI that such injuries were particularly hard on pacers. “They are both very big injuries. You are out for months,” he had said. “Anyone who comes back after the injury takes time, especially fast bowlers.

“If I was a batter, I would have been playing way back, but as a fast bowler…”

CSK’s Dwayne Bravo-sized gap at the death

Chahar, bowling alongside the less experienced Tushar Deshpande and Rajvardhan Hangargekar, has bowled more at the death this season as Super Kings continue to search for a way to plug the hole left by Dwayne Bravo’s exit. Chahar, who for long was a new-ball swing specialist, said he has been working hard on this aspect of his game.

I have many variations- yorker, knuckleball, slow bouncer, leg cutter, wide yorker, off-cutter

“In powerplays, you bowl with a new ball and have only two fielders outside whereas in the slog overs, your bowl with an old ball and have five fielders outside. I take it as a challenge and I also practice a lot,” he said. “Earlier, I didn’t bowl much because we had more options to bowl at the death. Since I have many variations – yorker, knuckleball, slow bouncer, leg cutter, wide yorker, off-cutter – I decide according to the batter and the pitch and execute [at the death] accordingly.”