IND vs ZIM: "Think They're Testing Waters With Deepak Chahar More Because Of His Fitness" - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned that Deepak Chahar could well be the Bhuvneshwar Kumar of the new generation but felt that the management is taking their time with him due to his fitness.

Chahar played his first match after nearly 6 months due to a hamstring injury. On his return against Zimbabwe, he picked up three wickets in the powerplay to rattle Zimbabwe and help India restrict the hosts to 189. In response, Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill finished the game without a fuss.

“I think they’re testing waters with Deepak Chahar more because of his fitness and if he has a sensational 50-overs series which is likely to happen.

“When you see him in T20 international cricket, I mean he’s got some phenomenal numbers. So, he is your Bhuvneshwar Kumar of today,” Manjrekar said on SPORTS18’s daily show ‘Sports Over The Top’.

“He’s got to do something sensational to put his hand up” – Sanjay Manjrekar

If Chahar wants to be in the playing XI, it will likely be in the place of Bhuvneshwar. However, Chahar will have put up excellent performances in order to get ahead in the pecking order, as per Manjrekar.

“The younger version of Bhuvneshwar who can swing the ball both ways to begin with. Maybe not as consistent in the death but that’s the aspect of bowling that’s getting better and better.”

“So, the only thing that will prevent Chahar from getting into that T20 World Cup playing 11 is (being) very similar to Bhuvneshwar and Bhuvneshwar has looked really good.

“So, they might look for other kinds of seam bowlers but Chahar is somebody they should keep in mind and he’s got to do something sensational to put his hand up,” Manjrekar added.

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