Sanjay Manjrekar feels Zimbabwe series will be testing ground for Deepak Chahar ahead of T20 World Cup

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the ongoing series against Zimbabwe will prove to be the testing ground for Deepak Chahar ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

The pacer returned to the Indian squad for the three ODIs in Zimbabwe after a lengthy lay-off which forced him to miss this year’s IPL, the home series against South Africa and the tours of England and West Indies.

Speaking exclusively on SPORTS18’s daily sports news show ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP’, Manjrekar said that the series will prove to be a testing ground for Chahar.

The former cricketer also called the pacer ‘the Bhuvneshwar Kumar of today’ and said that the only thing that could prevent Chahar from making the World Cup squad is being similar to the veteran bowler.

“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.”

“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,” said Manjrekar.

Chahar made a brilliant comeback to the team as he picked up three wickets for just 27 runs in seven overs in the first ODI as of writing.

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