'If There’s a Family Emergency, You Don’t Think About Anything Else': Deepak Chahar On Why He Skipped South Africa Tour

India seamer Deepak Chahar has opened up on skipping national duty during the South Africa at the end of last year. Chahar took a break from the tour and spent time with his father who suffered a brainstroke. The 31-year-old made a comeback to the Indian team after a long time in the T20I series against Australia after the ODI World Cup.

“I’d say family comes first. If there’s a family emergency, you don’t think about anything else. When you face a situation like this, you don’t think about what’s going to happen next,” Chahar told ESPNCrincfo.

Chahar also said that he was only able to think about his next steps once the family crisis was solved.

“When I came out of that situation, I could think about what next I can do.”

He also explained how he wanted his fans to view him as an improved cricketer the next time he performed. “When anyone sees me play the next time, they should be thinking – ‘He’s an improved cricketer’.”

Deepak Chahar also talked about Chennai’s auction haul for the IPL 2024. The Indian bowler felt that CSK is brimming with talent which could result in problems for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming when it comes to balancing the squad. “We had a very good auction,” Chahar said. He then added, “We will have plenty of combinations to play with, so they’re [Dhoni and Fleming] the ones who are going to decide. It’s challenging for them to pick the combination for the 22nd.”

India will not be playing any more T20Is until the upcoming T20 World Cup in June as IPL will likely be Chahar’s last chance of making the squad for the marquee ICC event. Chahar has not played competitive cricket since December last year. However, he sounds ready to shake off the rust in the upcoming IPL 2024 season.

The 31-year-old would be aiming to return to the Chennai Super Kings squad with an improved skill set in both the batting and bowling departments.

Deepak Chahar made his T20I debut back in July 2018 against England in Bristol. Since then, the bowler has played 25 matches for India in the format while scalping 31 wickets. He has also represented India in ODIs, playing 13 matches and 12 innings for the Men in Blue. In those games, Chahar has scalped a total of 16 wickets at an average economy of 5.75. While his numbers might not be as impressive, a good spell in the IPL could pave his way to team selection for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.