Deepak Chahar’s return to the IPL is uncertain after the India and Chennai Super Kings strike bowler had a back injury while undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The severity of the injury is still to be determined since Super Kings are yet to receive a formal report from BCCI.
Chahar has been rehabbing at the NCA for nearly a month after suffering a quadricep rupture during India’s T20I series against the West Indies in February. While the NCA physios predicted Chahar would miss a significant portion of the IPL, the pace-bowling allrounder’s fast recovery has Super Kings hopeful of a return in late April.
However, further questions have been raised now regarding his IPL return as he has suffered yet another injury. Meanwhile, as India prepares for the T20 World Cup, which begins in October, the BCCI and the Indian team management would like him to be in top shape. Thus, they will be in no hurry to fasten the procedure of his recovery.
How Deepak Chahar’s injury has harmed CSK?
Chahar’s absence has already harmed the balance of the Super Kings’ team this season. He is a swing bowler with the new ball as well as a capable lower-order batter. They’ve lost all four games thus far, most notably because they’ve been missing him with the ball in the powerplay, where they’ve only managed two wickets at an economy rate of 8.62 in 24 overs throughout the four games, and they haven’t been able to find a suitable alternative.
Chahar, on the other hand, has a much better record with Super Kings in the same phase, with an economy rate of 7.61 and 42 wickets in 58 innings in his first six overs with the ball.
Unfortunately, CSK might be unable to get Chahar’s services in this season.
Who can act as a possible replacement for Deepak Chahar in the current CSK squad?
At the IPL 2022 auction, Super Kings paid INR 14 crore (about $1.84 million) for Chahar, but the team now appears to be struggling without him. Despite the deployment of players like Mukesh Choudhary, Tushar Deshpande, Adam Milne, and Chris Jordan with the new ball, none of them have been able to give the essential control in the early phases of the match.
Among other options, CSK still have KM Asif and Rajvardhan Hangarkekar who can take the new ball.
Meanwhile, the Super Kings are yet to register a win this season as they have now lost 4 out of 4. CSK’s next fixture will be on Tuesday against RCB, who have won 3 out of their last 4 games.
