Chetan Sakariya opens up on career-ending fear, says 'Some doctors told me...'

Just a few years ago, Chetan Sakariya was widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in India’s next generation of fast bowlers. However, his rapid ascent was abruptly halted by a severe injury that required a grueling rehabilitation process. This setback caused him to slip down the national selection rankings, and the physical and mental toll was so significant that Sakariya feared his professional playing days were over.

When I got injured, I thought I would never come back: Chetan Sakariya

The turning point was a career-threatening injury to his left wrist in February 2024, which necessitated surgery and forced him into a lengthy period of inactivity. After nearly two years away from the field, he has finally begun his comeback journey. Taking his first cautious steps toward a return to peak form, Sakariya has rejoined the Saurashtra squad for the current domestic season.

“When I got injured, I thought I would never come back. Now, I am feeling very good after playing in this domestic season, feel so good after bowling for Saurashtra," Sakariya said, as quoted by PTI.

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'Some doctors told me that I might not be able to grip the ball again'

Sakariya admited that this period of his life was an immense mental struggle. Navigating a long-term injury and the subsequent time away from the sport tested his psychological resilience as much as his physical strength. Beyond the physical rehabilitation, the emotional toll of being sidelined and the uncertainty regarding his future in professional cricket made this a particularly grueling chapter of his career.

“It was very mentally challenging for me. I didn’t believe that I would be able to play cricket again. Some doctors told me that I might not be able to grip the ball again. It was a very difficult time for me as I was not able to believe in myself," he added.

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This latest setback was not the first time Sakariya had to navigate profound adversity. Resilience has been a recurring theme in his life; just a year after celebrating the pinnacle of domestic success by winning the Ranji Trophy with Saurashtra in 2020, his world was upended by immense personal loss.

During that period, the young fast bowler had to endure the devastating impact of twin family tragedies. Within a short span of time, he faced the heartbreak of losing both his father and his brother, forcing him to balance the demands of a rising professional career with intense personal grief.

“This situation that I faced in my life was unexpected. I was very young at that age. You know, the whole support system of your family runs together. When it disappears one sudden day, you don’t understand what you will do next. So at that time, if I hadn’t been a cricketer, I don’t think I would have been able to come back to life. Now, I feel that if any tough situation comes in my life again, I am prepared for it. I know what I have to do," he further stated.

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Sakariya also talked about not getting overlooked in IPL 2026 auction. Despite the setback of going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, the 27-year-old remains remarkably level-headed. The left-arm pacer had entered the auction with a base price of Rs 75 lakh, but he expressed no disappointment at the lack of bids.

“I was not very disappointed. I knew that if I did something exceptional in the domestic season, I would be picked in the IPL. This was a mini auction and all the slots were already filled. So, I did not expect that I would be selected in the IPL,” Sakariya concluded.