As the T20 World Cup 2022 is approaching, experts have started revealing their analyses and predictions regarding the possible combination and match winners of different teams for the multi-team event.
Recently, former India head coach Ravi Shastri had picked his pace-bowing combination of the ‘Men in Blue’. Following the bandwagon, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has named Deepak Chahar as an asset for Team India and reckoned the right-armer could be India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar of the current time.
Manjrekar stated that Chahar has the ability to swing the ball both ways, and he could be a worthy option for India in the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Australia later this year.
“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 because this guy over the years when you see him in T20 international cricket. I mean, he’s got some phenomenal numbers. If you remember, in T20 international cricket. So, he is your Bhuvneshwar Kumar of today. The younger version of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who can swing the ball both ways, to begin with. Maybe not as consistent to bowl in the death, but that’s the aspect of bowling that’s getting better and better,” said Manjrekar on SPORTS18‘s daily show ‘Sports Over The Top’.
However, Manjrekar also observed that since Chahar’s bowling looks very similar to Bhuvneshwar, so that could make selectors pick another pacer in the playing XI to find some variation.
“So, the only thing that will prevent Deepak Chahar from getting into that T20 World Cup squad of the playing 11 is very similar to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has looked really good. So, they might look for other kinds of seam bowlers, but Deepak Chahar is somebody they should keep in mind, and he’s got to do something sensational to put his hand up,” added Manjrekar.