Difficult with injuries, still not 100% but trying to contribute to the team: Deepak Chahar

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar acknowledged that he is still not fully fit following his injury, despite returning to action in the IPL 2023. Notably, Chahar played a vital role in CSK’s win against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 10.

For the uninitiated, Chahar was confined to the sidelines in between the season after he sustained an injury to his hamstring during the clash against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on April 8. Following his return to the setup, Chahar expressed that one has to start from scratch after sustaining an injury which becomes difficult for a player.

"It is very difficult with injuries, every time you get injured you start from zero. Still not 100% but trying to do a job to contribute to the team,” Chahar told the broadcasters after CSK's win over DC on Wednesday, May 10.

Bowl slow and swing it: MS Dhoni’s plan for Deepak Chahar during chase

Speaking about the match, Chahar struck the early blows during the chase as he got the prized scalps of David Warner and Phil Salt to leave DC reeling. The pacer concluded with 2/28 in his three overs at an economy of 9.33.

Following the win, Chahar revealed that there was a slower wicket on offer upon which he had a word with skipper MS Dhoni to devise a strategy. Chahar added that the 41-year-old told him to bowl slow as the batters would find it challenging to get the boundaries.

"It was swinging nicely and at the same time, the pitch was slow. I had a chat with Mahi bhai, ‘when the wickets are getting slower, you don't need to bowl fast, bowl slow and swing it, it's difficult for the batters to get the boundaries in the powerplay’, he said," Chahar added.

With their triumph, the yellow outfit extended their win record to seven victories and are placed second on the IPL Points Table with 15 points in 12 matches. In addition to this, MS Dhoni and Co. have virtually cemented their spot in the playoffs of the event.