All-rounder Deepak Chahar has made a memorable comeback to the Indian team for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. He was out of the Indian team for several months due to an injury and also missed the Indian Premier League 2022 season. The pacer began the proceedings for India in the match, after skipper KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI on Thursday, August 18 at the Harare Sports Club.
Deepak Chahar ran through Zimbabwe’s top order in the innings, pushing them on the back foot. He got India an early breakthrough in the match, as he dismissed Innocent Kaia for four runs. The all-rounder bowled a short delivery outside off stump. Kaia tried to go for the pull shot but was cramped for room. He got a thick top-edge that went right to the wicket-keeper Sanju Samson, who juggled the ball but caught it in the end.
The Indian pacer soon set Kaia’s opening partner Tadiwanashe Marumani back in the hut for eight runs. He was also caught by wicket-keeper Sanju Samson but off a pitched-up swinging delivery. Wesley Madhevere was Deepak Chahar’s third victim. The Zimbabwe batter was struck on the back pad right in front of the middle stump.
Three wickets for each of Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, and Axar Patel as Zimbabwe fold for just 189#ZIMvIND
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 18, 2022
Zimbabwe was reduced to 31/4 in the match, they eventually got all-out for 189 runs in 40.3 overs. Deepak Chahar finished the innings with three wickets for twenty-seven runs in seven overs. His comeback performance has earned massive praise from fans on social media.
Let’s take a look at how the fans reacted to Deepak Chahar’s performance:
Deepak Chahar should be on the flight to Australia for T20 World Cup. Looked in fine rhythm.#ZIMvsIND
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) August 18, 2022
It's like he has never been away 😌
Deepak Chahar 💙#ZIMvIND
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar is making a bit of a “return to work” statement here. #ZIMvsIND
— Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast (@1tip1hand) August 18, 2022
Bring Deepak chahar in Asia cup squad… 🔥🔥
— Saurabh Yadav (@Saurabhkry08) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar should be a sure shot selection in the T20 World Cup squad. #ZIMvIND
— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) August 18, 2022
Deepak chahar is making the bowl dance with his swing. 🌪️ 🍒#INDvsZIM #ZIMvsIND#KLRahul #SanjuSamson #IndianCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/J7AEsSxgmQ
— Prakash kumar Lenka (@Kprakash_Lenka) August 18, 2022
#IndvsZim #Deepakchahar pic.twitter.com/v3fbMfuYEP
— Valdimiputin (@valdimiputin) August 18, 2022
If swinging white ball is an art then Deepak Chahar is modern day Picasso of it #ZIMvIND
— પાર્થ પરમાર (@parrthhh_) August 18, 2022
what a comeback after injury by deepak chahar in the 1st ODI💪#INDvZIM
— Vedant Baranwal (@awokebhakt) August 18, 2022
Deepak Chahar is back and how. Missed this celebration, bring on the IPL 2023 already. 🥳🫰 pic.twitter.com/TDtoUuapcT
— Unnati Madan (@unnati_madan) August 18, 2022
Indian bowlers shine as Zimbabwe gets all out for 189 runs
Along with Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna and Axar Patel too displayed their bowling prowess. Prasidh Krishna picked three wickets for fifty runs in eight overs, while Axar Patel was very economical picking three wickets for 24 runs. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj also picked one wicket in the innings to bowl Zimbabwe out for 189 runs.
Regis Chakabva was the leading run-scorer in the innings for Zimbabwe with 35 runs. Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans also contributed 34 and 33 runs respectively. However, none from the trio could play a big knock for their side.
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