Deepak Chahar reveals how MS Dhoni included him in CSK. The Rajasthani pacer credits Mahi for making him believe in his own abilities.
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Deepak Chahar had a brilliant season in the IPL this year, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps in 17 matches. He has now been rewarded for his performance with a place in the Indian squad for the West Indies tour. Chahar knows that in the cut-throat competition of Indian Cricket, he will have to make the most of the chances he gets.
Also read: India’s probable playing XI for the 1st T20I against West Indies
In an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Deepak Chahar revealed how MS Dhoni had helped him calm his nerves and shown faith in him during their time in Pune. Unfortunately, Chahar suffered an injury and missed most of the season.
“Mahi bhai [MS Dhoni] was in Pune [Rising Pune Supergiant] for two years. He had faith in me. In the first year itself, he told me I would get to play, but unfortunately, I got injured in the very first practice match. So, I could play only the last two-three matches.”
Dhoni’s greatness is giving confidence to players
Things didn’t seem to get any better next year. With Steve Smith at the helm next year, Chahar didn’t find himself in the thick of things anymore. However, MS Dhoni came to his rescue once again.
Next year, [Steven] Smith was the captain, and his plans were different, so I played only two-three matches. But Mahi bhai had told me he’d take me in Chennai [Super Kings] and to prepare well. So I had the belief that I will get chances. And Mahi bhai is among those people who will back you fully. He won’t change his decision after just one or two matches. I knew that I would get at least five-six matches.
And he told me later, I think before the qualifier or the final, that in their initial planning talks he had said, “This guy will play all 14 matches, so let’s talk of the others.” He had that belief in me. And if Mahendra Singh Dhoni can believe in me so much, it gave me a reason to believe in my own abilities. That is his greatness – he gives players confidence. If someone like him says, “This guy is good and he’ll do well’, the player will also feel that he belongs at that level.
Deepak Chahar is likely going to be in India’s playing Eleven against the West Indian side. Hopefully, he will perform to the best of his abilities and prove that Dhoni was right to place his faith in him. In doing, it will not just be Dhoni, but the entirety of the nation that will brim with pride.
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