Young fast bowler Tushar Deshpande made his international T20 debut for Team India against Zimbabwe this year. However, currently Tushar Deshpande is recovering from his injury. The young player has so far played two T20 matches for Team India in which he has taken two wickets. Due to injury, Tushar could not participate in the second round of Duleep Trophy 2024 and had to go to London for surgery.

However, Tushar Deshpande can be seen performing well in the Indian Premier League 2025. Recently, in his exclusive interview with Crictracker, the young player made a big revelation about Chennai Super Kings and his preparation for the upcoming IPL tournament.

1- How did you get interested in cricket and who encouraged you the most?

The beginning is that my father used to play cricket for his company and the same atmosphere prevailed at home also. Same thing happened with me too. My father used to take me so that I could also start my interest in cricket. We lived in a small town in Kalyan where not many things were available for cricket. My father encouraged me and I got selected in the U-12 team of Shivaji Park Gymkhana in 2008.

To tell you the truth, I had gone only to bat but the line of batsmen was very long there, so I went to the line of bowlers. The journey from Kalyan to Dadar was very difficult. The selectors were very happy to see my bowling and included me in the team.

2- What role did your mother play in improving your career?

One thing that my mother always did for me was that no matter what financial problems we were going through, she always had everything available to me. Bowling shoes were quite expensive at that time but my parents always supported me and did not do anything for themselves.

My mother knew very well that I would definitely play for Team India and at this moment I am living her dreams.

3- What work have you done on mental strength?

I always try to learn from everything. MS Dhoni advised me that you should do as much yoga as possible and also do breathing exercises. This will calm your mind.

When I joined the Chennai Super Kings team for the first time in 2021, they told me to do breathing exercises to stay calm. I’ve been doing this thing ever since.

4- Would you have told the same thing to your younger self?

Yes why not? I would have brought this shit at the beginning of my career. Mahi Bhai has told me a lot and I trust him blindly.

5- Who do you consider as your idol and which player was the poster in your room in your childhood?

As far as I remember, I liked left-handed batsmen a lot because I too have been a left-handed batsman. In my childhood, I loved Adam Gilchrist, Sourav Ganguly, Matthew Hayden and Brian Lara. However, when I started fast bowling, I used to continuously watch videos of Brett Lee and Dale Steyn bowling.

6- What is the secret recipe of Chennai Super Kings and why does everyone praise this franchise?

The most important thing is that Chennai Super Kings has Mahendra Singh Dhoni. When Dhoni is sitting in the dressing room, many players become completely isolated and that is why Chennai wins. Even if you lose a match, the atmosphere in the dressing room is the same and when the team wins, there is no big celebration.

We always talk about improving our game. Cricket is always won with the help of the team and Dhoni Bhai is also seen praising everyone.

7- There is a lot of pressure on you in difficult situations when you are bowling. What is your mindset at that time?

To be honest, I have always liked pressure. I always want to bowl difficult overs. I always want to perform well for my team. So my only mindset is to bowl important overs for my team and help them win.

8- Apart from Chennai Super Kings, which team do you want to play for?

I want to play only for Chennai Super Kings. However, apart from this franchise, I would also like to play for Mumbai Indians because it is my home team.

9- If you have scored a century for your Mumbai side in Ranji Trophy, do you think that you can make a normal contribution with the bat also?

I feel that I can make a normal contribution with the bat also because I have batted very well in domestic cricket. I am mostly sent to bat at No. 10 or No. 11 and I know I cannot achieve much in that order. I want to bat at number 8 or 7.

10- You have been the first impact player in the Indian Premier League. How did you feel when you took the place of your second player?

To be honest, the Impact player rule went in my favor because I got a chance to play. I was an impact player in the first four or five matches and I also got a chance to showcase my talent. This rule has worked very well for me.

11- You have made your T20 debut for Team India, what are your plans to play in all three formats?

My next goal is to play for Team India in Tests and I would love it if the management includes me in all three formats. I am completely ready to play in all formats.

12- What is the difference between domestic and international cricket?

You always want to play and wear the jersey of Team India. This has been my and my family’s dream. When I made my debut for Team India, all the old memories were coming before my eyes. It is always an honor to play for your team.