“Mahi Bhai Was Key To My CSK Move”: Deepak Chahar Talks About Dhoni’s Role In His Career

Former Chennai Super Kings pacer Deepak Chahar shared that he wanted to return to the team because of the support he got from MS Dhoni. However, he realized it would be difficult as there was very little money left in the auction purse when his name was called. As a result, Chahar ended up joining the Mumbai Indians instead.

Deepak Chahar’s Journey from CSK to Mumbai Indians

Deepak Chahar, who joined Chennai Super Kings six years ago, has been a crucial part of the team’s bowling attack, renowned for his ability to bowl explosive spells during the powerplay overs.

In his 76 matches for Chennai Super Kings, Deepak Chahar took an impressive number of wickets, cementing his reputation as one of the most reliable pacers in the IPL, especially known for providing crucial breakthroughs during the powerplay.

At the mega auction, Mumbai Indians chose to acquire two top fast bowlers – Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Boult was bought for Rs 12.50 crore, while Chahar was secured for Rs 9.25 crore. The Mumbai-based franchise had also retained their star bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, earlier.

The Impact of MS Dhoni on Deepak Chahar’s Career

The former Chennai Super Kings seamer spoke about the impact of MS Dhoni, calling it one of the main reasons he wanted to stay with the Chennai team. He also acknowledged and appreciated the franchise’s efforts to bring him back during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

“Mahi bhai has supported me from the start, that’s why I wanted to go to CSK. But my name came on the second day at the auction, so I had a fair idea that it would be difficult for me to get back to CSK. They had a low purse, but still bid till INR 9 crore despite a purse of INR 13 crore,” Chahar stated in a talk to SportsTak.

Chahar also explained that the timing of his name coming up late in this year’s mega auction might have played a role in CSK’s inability to re-sign him for the upcoming season.

“I had made up my mind that it would be difficult. Last year, my name came first, that’s why it was easier to get back to CSK,” he said.

The Agra-born pacer has faced his fair share of injury issues in recent years and discussed his efforts to regain match fitness over the past year, driven by his desire to wear the Indian Blue once again.

“After the last IPL season, I went to UK for training. I was training with a big football club there,” Chahar said.

“Then, I came back and played five Ranji Trophy matches, bowling about 150 overs. Now, I’m playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So, I’ve been playing cricket regularly since the past six months, and I’ve been training well. My main goal is to play for India again, so I need to play all the 14 matches, play at my full potential, and then hopefully I can make a comeback for team India,” the seamer shared.

“This is going to be a very important season for me,” he asserted.

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