Not long ago, Chetan Sakariya was viewed as one of India’s most exciting next-generation fast bowlers. Three years on, those heady days feel distant, with injuries and a prolonged rehabilitation period pushing the left-arm pacer to the fringes of the domestic circuit. However, Sakariya has taken a significant step on his road back, returning to action for Saurashtra in the ongoing domestic season, his first appearance since February 2024.

Speaking after Saurashtra’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra, Sakariya admitted that his comeback once felt impossible. “When I got injured, I thought I would never come back. Now I am feeling very good after playing in this domestic season. Bowling again for Saurashtra feels really special,” he told PTI.

A serious injury to his left wrist earlier in 2024 had put his career on hold and tested him mentally. “It was extremely challenging. I didn’t believe I would be able to play cricket again. Some doctors even told me I might not be able to grip the ball. That phase completely shook my confidence,” Sakariya said.

Yet adversity is not new to the 27-year-old. In 2021, Sakariya lost both his father and younger brother in separate tragedies experiences that, he says, shaped his resilience. “That period taught me how to deal with setbacks in life. When your entire support system disappears suddenly, you don’t know what to do next,” he reflected. “If I wasn’t a cricketer, I don’t think I would have been able to come back to life. Now, I feel prepared for any tough situation.”

Sakariya credited his family, friends and the Saurashtra Cricket Association for standing by him through his injury layoff. “They kept telling me to believe in myself and play again. I did my rehab under the guidance of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, and slowly I started seeing improvement. The motivation to pick up the ball came back,” he said.

To regain match sharpness, Sakariya began featuring in local tournaments across Saurashtra and Mumbai. His perseverance paid off when Kolkata Knight Riders called him up during IPL 2025 as a replacement for the injured Umran Malik. “That was the biggest moment for me in 2025,” Sakariya said. “I hadn’t played domestic cricket that season, but the KKR management especially Chandu sir (Chandrakant Pandit), trusted me and supported my rehab and training.”

A major boost during that stint was working with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who was part of KKR’s support staff. “After being away from cricket for nearly two years, I needed a lot of corrections. You lose tactical awareness,” Sakariya explained. “Bharat sir helped me work on my rhythm, skills and understanding of modern cricket. After working with him for two and a half months, my bowling knowledge improved significantly.”

Despite the progress, Sakariya remains realistic about the road ahead. Having played just one ODI and two T20Is for India back in 2021, he knows there is still work to be done. “I’m improving day by day, but I still need to work on my technique to get fully back into the groove,” he said.

The left-arm pacer is also unfazed by missing out on an IPL contract this time, a stark contrast to 2022, when Delhi Capitals picked him up for INR 4.2 crore. “I wasn’t very disappointed. It was a mini-auction and most slots were already filled. I know that if I do something exceptional in domestic cricket, opportunities will come,” Sakariya said.

For now, his focus is firmly on achievable goals. “I’ve set small targets like becoming the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra again, like I did in 2022–23 when we won the Ranji Trophy. Then I want to play in the IPL. I’ve always believed in setting small goals in life,” he signed off.

(By PTI Inputs)

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