Last Update on: August 19th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Indian pacer Deepak Chahar admitted that there is a pressure on him to make a return to the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.
Chahar missed action for six months because of multiple injuries that ruled him out of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2022 dismal campaign.
Playing his first competitive match since February 20, 2022, Chahar returned with figures of 3/27 from seven overs against Zimbabwe in the first ODI.
He accounted for the early wickets of Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessly Madhevere as India bowled the hosts out for 189 in 40.3 overs.
I have probably started where I had left off: Deepak Chahar
Chahar earned the player of the match award for his outstanding bowling efforts. The 30-year-old, however, is uncertain about making a case for India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“That is not in my hand (T20 WC selection). Skill-wise, though, I have worked really hard. There I can say I have probably started where I had left off,” Chahar said in a press conference after the match.
“After the first over, the rest of whatever I bowled, I was happy. It was a seven-over spell, so the fitness is good,” he added.
You have to give good performances to make your place in the side: Deepak Chahar
Chahar has been named as one of the three reserved players in the Indian squad for the continental Asia Cup 2022, starting at the month end.
With the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan have marked their presence with their performances in the past few bilateral series, the task for Chahar to cement a spot in the Indian side will be a challenge to look for.
“When you are away for a long time, others come in and perform well and take their place in the side,” Chahar said.
“To make your place in the side again, you have to give good performances. So, that pressure is always there on a returning player. I had the same expectation that I would do well when I come back, because that is all a player has in his hand,” the Indian pacer added.
India will play the second ODI against Zimbabwe on Saturday (August 20) at the Harare Sports Club.