'Fully fit and preparing well'- Deepak Chahar set to make comeback with IPL 2023

Indian seam bowling all rounder Deepak Chahar is fully fit and is set to make a comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), starting on March 31. The 30-year-old struggled with two big injuries throughout 2022 as he was sidelined from professional cricket for six months. 

The Agra-born cricketer struggled to recover from a stress fracture and recently, a quad grade 3 tear. He last played for India in the second ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022, where he got injured after bowling three overs.

Chahar played 15 matches for India in 2022 and was ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to injury after making a comeback just a couple of months ago. After going through rehab at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, he is now gearing up for the IPL where he will be representing the Chennai Super Kings.

"I have been working hard for the past two three months on my fitness, I am fully fit and preparing well for the IPL," Chahar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I had two big injures. One was a stress fracture and one was a quad grade 3 tear. They are both very big injuries. You are out for months. Anyone who comes back after the injury it takes time, especially for the fast bowlers. If I was a batter, I would be playing way back, but as a fast bowler, when you have a stress fracture, it is very tough to get back on track. You can see other bowlers struggling with the back as well,” he added.

Chahar marked his return to competitive cricket with a First-Class game against Services last month, which was also his only Ranji Trophy appearance. Injuries have plagued Chahar’s career so far as he has failed to seal his place in the Indian team. However, he aims to be a part of the team for the ODI World Cup later in 2023.

"I have lived by one rule all my life. If I am fully bowling the way I want, if I am batting the way I want, there is no stopping me. That was the basic rule with which I started my career. I don't care who is playing, who is not playing, my motive is to get fully fit and perform with the ball and bat 100%. If I do that, I will get my chances,” he further said.

Women's cricket will grow very fast due to WPL: Deepak Chahar

The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be held before the 2023 IPL. Chahar also shared his excitement for the premier Women’s T20 competition of India ahead of its inaugural edition.

"IPL changed men's cricket forever, people got a lot of opportunities. Same thing will happen with Women's Premier League. Women's cricket will grow very fast as they will face international players very early in their careers. It will also help a lot of women cricketers who have not been able to make money and will fuel competition,” he said.

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