Left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya, once a promising name in India's next-generation fast bowling pool, has made a significant emotional return to the cricket field. His career was abruptly halted by a severe injury to his bowling wrist in early 2024, leading him through a "mentally draining" phase where he feared he might never grip a cricket ball again.
The Dark Phase: Doubts and Doctor's Warnings
Speaking after Saurashtra's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra, Sakariya revealed the depth of his despair. The injury to his left wrist in early 2024 was not just a physical setback but a profound psychological battle. "When I got injured, I thought I would never come back," Sakariya confessed. He detailed how some medical opinions were grim, suggesting he might lose the ability to grip the ball properly, which is catastrophic for a bowler.
"It was very mentally challenging for me. I didn't believe that I would be able to play cricket again," he said. This period of uncertainty and self-doubt was, however, a test of resilience for the 27-year-old, who has already endured immense personal tragedy with the loss of his father and younger brother in 2021.
Drawing Strength from Past Turmoil
Sakariya credits his ability to navigate this career crisis to the lessons learned from those earlier personal losses. He explained that the sudden disappearance of his family's support system at a young age taught him how to face life's harshest challenges. "If I hadn't been a cricketer, I don't think I would have been able to come back to life," he reflected, stating that those experiences have now prepared him to handle any future adversity.
His comeback trail began with the unwavering support of his family, friends, and the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA). Under their guidance, he embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation program. "Gradually, I started seeing the difference and the motivation to pick up a ball came back to me," Sakariya noted. To regain his competitive edge, he started playing in local tournaments in Saurashtra and Mumbai.
A Lifeline from KKR and Guidance from Bharat Arun
His fortunes took a positive turn during the IPL 2025 season when he received an unexpected call-up. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed him as a replacement for the injured Umran Malik. Sakariya described this opportunity as "the biggest thing" for him in 2025, especially since he had missed the entire 2024-25 domestic season. He expressed deep gratitude for the trust shown by the KKR management, particularly former head coach Chandrakant Pandit.
The most impactful part of his KKR stint was working with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who was part of the support staff that season. "Bharat sir has worked with me throughout the season," Sakariya said. He emphasized that after a two-year gap, he needed significant technical corrections and had lost some tactical awareness. Arun helped him rebuild his rhythm, skills, and overall understanding of modern bowling, leading to substantial improvement over two and a half months.
Realistic Goals and Looking Ahead
Despite this encouraging progress, Sakariya is pragmatic about the road ahead. With only one ODI and two T20Is for India back in 2021 to his name, he knows there is much work to be done. "I still feel that I need to work. I am lagging a little as I will have to work on my technique to get back into the groove," he admitted, while finding positivity in his daily improvement.
He was not disheartened by going unsold in the recent IPL mini-auction, a stark contrast to his Rs 4.2 crore deal with Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2022. He understood that with slots filled, he needed to prove himself in domestic cricket first. His current focus is on setting and achieving small, tangible goals. His immediate aim is to become the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra, as he did in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy-winning season, which he believes will pave his way back to the IPL.
"I have set small goals in my life," Sakariya signed off, embodying the spirit of a fighter who has learned to cherish every ball bowled after staring at a premature end to his playing days.
