India’s stylish all-rounder Deepak Chahar, who was probably India’s finest in T20Is a year back, had to miss out on a lot of international cricket because of a hamstring injury. However, the all-rounder has made a stunning comeback in national colors against Zimbabwe in the ongoing 1st ODI match at Harare on Thursday.
Chahar was out of action since March earlier this year and had to miss the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League. After recovering from his hamstring injury, he was named in the playing XI for the first ODI. Ahead of the first ODI, Chahar expressed his emotions on making a return to the Indian side. He said:
“It was a long vacation for me. Now fully fit and back. [There is] tough competition in the Indian team and it has been high since I started playing.”
He added: “If I get an opportunity, I can do the job with the new ball and bat in the lower order. It is about performing and I don’t think about opportunities,”
On Thursday, Deepak looked in a great rhythm after a rusty initial couple of overs. Chahar, who is in his 7th over (at the time of writing this article) has already picked 3 crucial wickets and has conceded only 21 runs in 6 overs. Chahar dismissed Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Wesley Madhevere.
Chahar alongwith Mohammed Siraj rattled Zimbabwe’s top order to help the Indian side take control of the game.
Meanwhile, fans on social media went berserk with the stunning performance of Deepak Chahar. Check out the reactions of fans to this:
Deepak Chahar’s back with a good comeback. His run up looked a bit off initially but found his rhythm soon & bowled some really good deliveries, especially in the last over. Gave away only 11 off his first 4 overs & picked a wicket. Hope he maintains his fitness for the long run.
— Heisenberg
(@internetumpire) August 18, 2022
(@internetumpire) Good to see the return of Deepak Chahar, bowling so well and taking important new ball wickets. #INDvZIM #IND #deepakchahar
— Rashi (@IamAditea) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar is on fire – 3rd wicket for him now. What a return he’s marking, great bowling.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 18, 2022
Great start for Deepak Chahar – 2 wickets in his first spell.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar returns to the Indian team after 6 long months. pic.twitter.com/B21tWt3SrM
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 14, 2022
First International Wicket For Deepak Chahar After 6-7 Months. Champion Is Back.
— Vaibhav Bhola
(@VibhuBhola) Deepak Chahar starts for India!
Let’s go, boys!
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) August 18, 2022
3 wickets. In a spell of 7 overs in a go.
Deepak Chahar has announced his comeback
— JayGawas (@JayGawas14) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar is back
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 18, 2022
Indian fans to deepak chahar #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/ltgnhhUkcu
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) August 18, 2022
Tell the world Deepak Chahar is back
— Arpit Raj
Playing XIs
INDIA: Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul(c), Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson(w), Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva(w/c), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava
