IPL 2020: Ajit Agarkar Hopes For Deepak Chahar To Maintain His Fitness Levels
Published - 14 Sep 2020, 01:48 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:34 AM
Former Indian paceman Ajit Agarkar has expressed his concerns about Deepak Chahar’s fitness ahead of the 2020 IPL edition. Deepak Chahar plays for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and been one of the best new-ball bowlers and equally effective in death. With skipper MS Dhoni depending a lot on Chahar, Ajit Agarkar hopes for the seamer to maintain his fitness.
It is worth noting that Deepak Chahar contracted the deadly COVID-19 alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad amongst the 13 personnel from CSK. While Chahar has recovered from the disease and resumed training, he might not have had much time to prepare. In the last season, the seamer picked up 22 wickets from 19 games at 21.91 with best figures of 3/20. He also maintained an economy rate of 7.47 and a strike rate of 17.59.
The three-time champions have also suffered the departure of veteran cricketers Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, both of who pulled out of the tournament, citing personal reasons. The MS Dhoni-led franchise has been one of the most successful in history, winning three titles and making it to the playoffs in every season. CSK has also participated in eight finals out of the 12 editions taken place so far. They will face defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the competition in Abu Dhabi.
“Hopefully, the fitness levels are there” : Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar understands that MS Dhoni depends a lot on Deepak Chahar for bowling with the new ball; however, when not played cricket for long and spending extra time in quarantine, Chahar might have had less preparation time. Nevertheless, Agarkar wishes for the fitness levels to be present and attaining the same through practice games.
“As far as Chahar is concerned, I know Dhoni depends on him a lot to start with the new ball or bowls him up front, but when you have not played cricket for as long as all these players have, plus he has had this extra quarantine because of turning positive might have less preparation time. But hopefully, the fitness levels are there, it’s about getting the skills right and getting some sort of bowling into your legs while they have some practice games, he’s probably going to be ready,” Ajit Agarkar said in the Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
