In recent times, fast bowler Deepak Chahar has been brilliant for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with skipper MS Dhoni relying on his services, as former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar wants him to keep fitness levels despite not-so-prepared for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“Hopefully, the fitness levels are there, it’s about getting the skills right and getting some sort of bowling into your legs while they have some practice games, he’s probably going to be ready,” Ajit Agarkar revealed in Star Sports’ Cricket Connected show.
Of late, CSK team has been in troubled waters from the unavailability of two-star players – Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh to the testing positive of Chahar himself and promising Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Also, 11 other members were tested positive which had somewhat added to a disturbance after three-time champions CSK had landed in the UAE.
Agarkar further asserted that extra quarantine had affected Chahar’s preparations for the IPL.
MS Dhoni depends on Deepak Chahar: Ajit Agarkar
Meanwhile, Agarkar has expressed concern over Chahar fitness, as the latter had got less time to prepare for the 13th season of IPL.
Thus it adds a lot of pressure on the players who are with the squad and on those lines, Agarkar believes how crucial it is for the Chennai-based franchise to have Chahar at his best.
“As far as Chahar is concerned, I know Dhoni depends on him a lot to start with the new ball or bowls him upfront, but when you have not played cricket for as long as all these players have, plus he has had this extra quarantine because of turning positive might have less preparation time,” Ajit Agarkar said about Chahar.
Chahar, who made his senior team debut on the back of rollicking performances in the IPL 2018, has been an asset for Dhoni – to start of the proceedings for the CSK.
Deepak Chahar struggled due to back injury:
Given to the line and length of Chahar, it has impressed Dhoni a lot which eventually saw captain cool showing a faith of him by using him in the initial stages of the game, to yield desired results.
Earlier, Ajit Agarkar has expressed concern after stress fracture and back issues had kept Chahar out of the field for a while despite COVID-19 lockdown.
After a back injury in December 2019, Chahar had struggled to roll over his arm quite often than not. Well, it remains to be seen how he will go along in the much-awaited Twenty20 competition.
Behind closed doors, CSK will take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in the lung-opener on September 19 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
