Not going to be easy for Deepak Chahar to come back after such a long injury: Ex-India cricketer

The Zimbabwe series marks the return of a number of players in the Indian team. While KL Rahul will be playing after a significant period of absence, Deepak Chahar will be wearing the Indian colours for an even longer time. The pacer, who has been out since February because of a hamstring injury, isn't going to find it easy to make a comeback, as per former India cricketer Maninder Singh.

Speaking to NDTV, Maninder asserted that making a return after such a long absence due to injury isn't going to be easy for Chahar. The pace-bowling all-rounder is also looking to impress selectors to bag a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2022. Finding rhythm in such a short time, hence, is going to be an incredibly tough job.

“Yeah, it has been a pretty long break, and he (Deepak Chahar) has had an injury. It is not very easy to come back into international cricket where you have had such a long break because of injury. He would need to be handled with care to start with, but I am sure the team management would know when to use him and when not to use him. He is a talented kid, but it is not going to be easy to come back after such a long injury,” said Maninder.

Maninder also spoke about Virat Kohli who is in the spotlight over his dwindling form. Some have even questioned the former India skipper's place in the team but Maninder still has his belief intact in the star batter.

“I am sure there must have been a communication between the selectors and Virat Kohli. He is such a fantastic player, such a great player. As far as mental strength is concerned, which is the most important ingredient when you are playing international cricket, there is no doubt that Virat Kohli is mentally very strong and physically very fit. It is a matter of one innings, if he has communicated to the selectors that he needs more breaks, then we should respect that,” he asserted.

Kohli isn't a part of the Zimbabwe tour but has been selected for the forthcoming Asia Cup. His performance in the continental tournament will paint a clearer picture over what the team should expect from him at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.