Tushar Deshpande reveals India comeback plans:Says ‘Injury cost me my place’; gets candid about time with MS Dhoni, CSK

Fresh from his impressive performances in the Mumbai T20 League, pacer Tushar Deshpande sat down for an exclusive conversation with Bhaskar English. Representing Maratha Royals in the ongoing T20 Mumbai League, Deshpande spoke about his evolving role as a cricketer, his memorable IPL journey, lessons learned from MS Dhoni and other senior figures, and the challenges of bowling under pressure in T20 cricket. He also opened up about his ambitions of returning to the Indian team after injury setbacks and revealed a personal milestone he hopes to achieve in international cricket. To note, Deshpande made his debut for the national side back in 2024 against Zimbabwe. He has played 2 matches and scalped 2 wickets for the Men in Blue. However, Tushar’s journey in the international arena was cut short after he suffered an unfortunate injury and was dropped from the national side. Since then, the right-arm pacer is looking to make a comeback at the highest level. Experience in T20 Mumbai League Question: You are currently part of Maratha Royals in the T20 Mumbai League. How has your experience been with the team? Answer: So far, it has been good. It’s a young team and we are trying to gel quickly. Since it’s a short tournament with games every alternate day, the process is important. Overall the team environment has been positive. Batting evolution Question: You recently played a blistering knock of 55 off 22 balls. Are you developing yourself as a genuine all-rounder or is bowling still your main focus? Answer: I think both. I’ve always been a capable batter; it’s about opportunities. Whenever I’ve batted, I’ve scored runs for Mumbai and in the IPL as well. Bowling will always remain my main role, but adding batting gives me an extra dimension. It’s about expanding my skill set. Approach to crucial matches Question: You have an important match coming up. How are you preparing for it, especially with semi-final qualification in mind? Answer: The focus is simple—it’s the next match. We are looking to play smart cricket, assess conditions well, and execute plans. The message in the team is the same: stay calm and play according to situations. IPL journey Question: How do you define your IPL journey so far as a high-pressure bowler? Answer: It has been challenging and a great learning experience. Every ball in the IPL is a pressure ball. I take it as an opportunity to express myself and make a difference for my team. My mindset is to back my skills regardless of the situation and contribute whenever needed. Influence of captains coaches Question: You’ve played under captains like MS Dhoni, Shreyas Iyer, and Riyan Parag in IPL. How does leadership affect your role as a fast bowler? Answer: It doesn’t change much. It’s more about the support and understanding you get. Every captain I’ve played under has been supportive. Learning from IPL dressing room Question: Any senior or coach who shaped your mindset as a death bowler? Answer: Yes, during my CSK days, Dwayne Bravo and Eric Simmons helped me a lot. Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) also gave valuable feedback after matches on execution and decision-making. They all contributed to shaping my game. Question: Any key learning from the IPL dressing room? Answer: Everything is a learning experience. Especially in my second IPL season with CSK, I learned a lot from MS Dhoni—how he reads the game and plans field placements. India comeback ambition Question: You’ve been part of the Indian setup before. How strong is your hunger to return? Answer: The hunger is always there. I lost my place due to injury, not performance. I am working towards making a comeback. Role in Indian team setup Question: If given another chance, would you consider playing as a genuine all-rounder? Answer: I am adding batting to my skill set, but I will always remain a fast bowler. I’m open to playing any role the team requires. Whatever helps the team, I am ready for it. Death bowling mindset Question: Death bowling can be very unforgiving. What goes through your mind in those overs? Answer: It is all about execution and backing your skill set. Confidence in your abilities helps you perform under pressure. I try to assess conditions, use ground dimensions, and stick to my plans. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t—but that’s part of the game. Facing modern T20 hitters Question: How do you plan against modern aggressive batters like Abhishek Sharma or Vaibhav Suryavanshi? Answer: The plan is simple—bowl the best possible ball for that wicket and challenge them to hit good deliveries. A good ball is a good ball, whether it gets hit for six or takes a wicket. I just focus on execution. Personal goal Question: What is your current goal? Answer: My goal is to take 100 wickets for India. I am working towards it step by step, and hopefully I will achieve it with time.