Sporting comebacks are often measured in runs scored or wickets taken, but for Chetan Sakariya, the journey back to the pitch was a battle for survival. During the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, as Sakariya spearheaded Saurashtra’s bowling attack toward the final, few realized that just over a year ago, he was told he might never play cricket again.
In July 2024, fresh off an IPL title win with KKR and just one week into his marriage, tragedy struck in a sudden moment. While reaching for keys through a broken glass showcase at his home near Bhavnagar, a large shard pierced Chetan Sakariya’s left wrist.
The injury was catastrophic. “It cut my main nerve,” Chetan Sakariya recalled. “Blood was gushing out uncontrollably… I genuinely feared I may not survive.”
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After emergency stabilization at a local government hospital, private specialists in Bhavnagar delivered a crushing blow: they predicted his left hand would only regain 50% functionality. For a professional left-arm pacer, the verdict was clear—his career was over.
Refusing to accept this, Chetan Sakariya’s support network scrambled. A late-night call to Nitin Patel (formerly of the NCA) paved the way for an emergency transfer to Mumbai. Under the care of hand surgeon Dr. Sudhir Warrier at Hinduja Hospital, Sakariya underwent surgery at 2:00 AM to repair the nerve damage.
The recovery was grueling. Over five months, Chetan Sakariya battled muscle atrophy and lost sensation. By the sixth month, he began the painful process of bowling again.
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“I started getting doubts… I started bowling a lot. My rhythm was good, and I kept training like I’d be ready when my chances come.”
His resilience paid off. In the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sakariya emerged as Saurashtra’s second-highest wicket-taker. His story is no longer just about a freak accident; it is a testament to the “power of destiny” and the indomitable spirit of a cricketer who refused to let a shard of glass define his future.