Indian all-rounder Deepak Chahar was roped in by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise for a healthy amount of Rs 14 crore, at the mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 edition.
In an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, Chahar recalled his journey with Chennai Super Kings and how he was selected by the CSK franchise.
Initial days
In 2018, Chahar played for the first time for CSK and in that season he had bagged 10 wickets, playing 12 matches. In the very next season he became CSK’s second-highest wicket taker as he scalped 22 wickets in that edition’s IPL.
“My journey with CSK began in 2016…When Hrishikesh Kanitkar became Pune Super Giants’ assistant coach, he called me for the trial. I played the selection match where [Stephen] Fleming noticed me. I bowled well with the new ball and batting at 7, I scored a half-century hitting some fours and big sixes. On the second day, I got a chance to bat higher – at 4 – and again I scored 50 runs. So when Fleming selected me at Pune, I was picked as a batting all-rounder, someone who can hit the ball and bowl with the new ball.
“When we got selected, there was a camp. That is where Mahi bhai came. We were playing a practice match, so when I met Dhoni bhai, I was batting. I came at 3 and I smoked 5 sixes in 10 balls – was unbeaten on 30. I got injured while taking a run, and when I walked out, I met Mahi bhai for the first time. He saw that I can hit sixes and can swing the new ball," the 29-year-old Indian all-rounder told Sports Tak.
CSK's auction planning
The Uttar Pradesh-born all-rounder also revealed CSK’s plans and strategies regarding signing him.
“That season I could only play a few games because I got injured. But in the next season, he told me ‘Be ready. Practice a lot. We are going to pick you for CSK next season. You will play all matches. He said this to me in 2017 and in 2018 when he picked me, he told me ‘You will play all matches. We believe in you. We trust you. Just do what you have been doing."
In the first T20I of the series against West Indies, Chahar picked up a vital wicket of Akeal Hossein.