Chetan Sakariya, fast bowler with the left arm, made his debut in the Vijay Hazare Domestic Trophy of Saurashtra after being absent since 2024 due to injury. The pacer revealed his incredible comeback after losing all hope of returning to cricket.
Injuries are the major nightmares of a sportsman’s life. For cricketers, particularly bowlers, a hit to their bowling arm can practically bring an end to their career. The Indian left-arm bowling prodigy Chetan Sakariya from Saurashtra also went through this during the initial phase of his career.
He, however, made a comeback, played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL last season, finally presented himself in the domestic Indian cricket circuits and with the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he is now back to full strength.
Chetan Sakariya on the return from a wrist injury that could have ended his career
One of the finest young talents from India Chetan Sakariya would be remembered as the nation’s future fast bowling superstar. He first gained recognition by leading Saurashtra to the Ranji trophy in the year 2020.
But the journey of his career was not a smooth one, as he faced multiple unexpected setbacks. The first being a personal tragedy followed by a left-wrist injury that almost put an end to his career in February 2024. The injury was so significant that Sakariya thought it would limit his playtime.
“When I got injured, I thought I would never come back,” he said during a conversation with PTI, the news agency. Nevertheless, the bowler has already made his return and is taking gradual steps toward a comeback. “It feels great having played this domestic season, plus I feel so good having bowled for Saurashtra,” the cricketer said.
“It was very mentally challenging for me. I didn’t think that my cricketing career was going to come back to me. Some doctors even said that I would never be able to hold the ball again,” he said.
Chetan Sakariya reveals his struggles and the support he received from family and friends
Nevertheless, the wrist injury was not the only time that Sakariya’s cricketing career was interrupted. He had to face and overcome a major problem back in 2021 when he went through a terrible family tragedy—the deaths of both his father and brother in quick succession.
Chetan Sakariya has disclosed that it was the most difficult period in his life, and he happened to be very young at that time; nevertheless, the events taught him perseverance. “So if I were not a cricketer then unlike now, I don’t think I would have been able to bounce back. I have this feeling that I am actually ready whenever a hard time comes in my life. I know what to do,” he stated.
Sakariya further declared that his friends and family were a tremendous source of strength during that period. They stood by him, and encouraged him to play further which led him to get rehabilitation under the supervision of the Saurashtra Cricket Association.
Chetan Sakariya gives KKR coaches a special mention for his rehab and training
Although Chetan Sakariya did not take part in any match during the 2024-25 domestic season, he still got a place in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp as he was asked to replace an injured Umran Malik. He expressed his gratitude to Chandrakanth Pandit, the former KKR head coach, for his faith in him and for his support with rehab and training in the KKR camp.
He went on to say that Chetan Sakariya’s understanding of the game got a boost thanks to the attendance of Bharat Arun in the camp.
“With his hands on my rhythm and skills, he told me how to go on in modern-day cricket. I have gained so much in my knowledge of bowling after working with Bharat sir for two and half months,” he detailed.
