“Could have played in West Indies, but I wanted to be back at 100%, not at 99%,” Deepak Chahar reveals he delayed his comeback as he didn’t want to risk the injury again

The Indian and CSK bowling allrounder Deepak Chahar has revealed that he was almost there and thereabouts with full fitness ahead of the West Indies tour and could have made himself available for selection if he wanted, but he didn’t want to be back at 99% of fitness and he held himself back till the time he felt he was 100% fit.

Deepak Chahar had got injured in one of the games against West Indies in the latter parts of India’s previous home season and had to be out of action for a long time, as he had to go through the recovery process at the National Cricket Academy NCA). Chahar couldn’t even participate in the previous edition of IPL because of his injury.

However, as soon as he recovered and passed the fitness test at NCA, the Indian selectors got Chahar back into the frame straight away, as he was named in the Indian squad for the 3-match ODI series in Zimbabwe which will start on the 18th of August.

Deepak Chahar averages close to 60 with the bat in ODI cricket

Deepak Chahar is also in line to be picked in the Asia Cup squad, as his ability with the bat, apart from his swing bowling, is rated highly by the current Indian team management. Chahar has played only 5 innings in his ODI career so far, but he has already scored two half-centuries and averages close to 60 with the bat.

BREAKING : Deepak Chahar is set to return in Asia Cup 2022 squad of Team India. (TOI)

— Dr. Cric Point 🏏 (@drcricpoint) August 4, 2022

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While Chahar’s first half-century in Sri Lanka last year had won India the game from almost a losing position and had won them the series too, Chahar had taken India very close to victory with another half-century in the third ODI on the South Africa tour earlier this year, however, India lost that game eventually.

Talking to News24, Chahar said that he has tried to improve his game further, both with bat and ball, during the time that he got because of injury layoff because he believes injuries give players the opportunity to not just work on their fitness and recovery, but also to reflect on their overall game.

Deepak Chahar said, "I'm fully fit now. Looking forward to contribute in team's win. My aim is to win the T20 World Cup for India". (To News24 Sports).

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 5, 2022