Former Indian spinner Maninder Singh reckons Deepak Chahar needs to be handled with care when he will make a return to International cricket in the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe. Chahar had last played for the national team in the T20I series against West Indies in February 2022.

However, he was ruled out of the IPL due to a hamstring injury and also missed the series against South Africa, Ireland, England, and the West Indies. Chahar will look to hit the ground running against Zimbabwe and deliver the goods for the team.

The swing fast bowler is making a return after a long layoff and he will look to take his team to get back into momentum.

“Yeah, it has been a pretty long break, and he (Deepak Chahar) has had an injury. It is not very easy to come back into international cricket where you have had such a long break because of injury. He would need to be handled with care to start with, but I am sure the team management would know when to use him and when not to use him. He is a talented kid, but it is not going to be easy to come back after such a long injury,” Maninder told NDTV.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli was rested for the series against West Indies and also for the series against Zimbabwe. Kohli hasn’t been in the best of forms and he will return to action in the Asia Cup. Singh added that Kohli’s decision to take a break should be respected and feels it is a matter of time before the talisman finds his Midas touch.

“I am sure there must have been a communication between the selectors and Virat Kohli. He is such a fantastic player, such a great player. As far as mental strength is concerned, which is the most important ingredient when you are playing international cricket, there is no doubt that Virat Kohli is mentally very strong and physically very fit. It is a matter of one innings, if he has communicated to the selectors that he needs more breaks, then we should respect that,” he added.

India will face Zimbabwe in the first ODI at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Thursday.