Some Doctors Said I May Not Grip The Ball Again! Ex RR Star Recalls Career-Threatening Injury

Not too long ago, Chetan Sakariya was viewed as one of India's most promising fast-bowling prospects, a left-armer capable of troubling top batters with his swing and variations. However, a serious injury threatened to derail that rise, pushing the 27-year-old into what he describes as the darkest phase of his cricketing life.

Sakariya suffered a career-threatening left wrist injury in February 2024 that required surgery and kept him away from competitive cricket for nearly two years. The prolonged rehabilitation and uncertainty took a severe toll, to the point where the Saurashtra pacer feared his journey in the sport might be over.

"When I got injured, I thought I would never come back," Sakariya told news agency PTI.

"Now, I am feeling very

good after playing in this domestic season, feel so good after bowling for Saurashtra. "

The injury not only affected his body but also tested his mental strength.

"It was very mentally challenging for me. I didn't believe that I would be able to play cricket again. Some doctors told me that I might not be able to grip the ball again. It was a very difficult time for me as I was not able to believe in myself," he said.

Yet, adversity was not new to Sakariya. After helping Saurashtra win the Ranji Trophy in 2020, he endured immense personal loss the following year, losing both his father and brother. That experience, he believes, shaped his ability to fight through hardship.

"This situation that I faced in my life was unexpected. I was very young at that age. You know, the whole support system of your family runs together. When it disappears one sudden day, you don't understand what you will do next," he said.

Cricket, Sakariya admits, became his anchor.

"So at that time, if I hadn't been a cricketer, I don't think I would have been able to come back to life. Now, I feel that if any tough situation comes in my life again, I am prepared for it. I know what I have to do," he added.

During his injury layoff, Sakariya leaned heavily on his support system.

"Gradually, my family and friends supported me (when he was injured). They told me to play again, believe in myself. So, I started working again. I did rehab under the guidance of Saurashtra Cricket Association. Gradually, I started seeing the difference and the motivation to pick up a ball came back to me," he said.

A turning point arrived in IPL 2025 when Kolkata Knight Riders signed him as a replacement for the injured Umran Malik.

"I think it was the biggest thing for me in 2025. I did not play in the domestic season (2024-25). But the KKR management, especially Chandu sir (former KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit) trusted me, and provided me with everything I needed for rehab and training," Sakariya said.

Working closely with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun further accelerated his comeback.

"Bharat sir has worked with me throughout the season. As soon as I left cricket for two years, I needed a lot of corrections. If you do not play cricket for a long time, you lose your tactical awareness. It takes time to recover. He helped me work on my rhythm and skills. He told me how to advance in modern cricket. After working with Bharat sir for two and a half months, I have improved a lot in my knowledge of bowling," he explained.