Chennai Super Kings were dealt a massive blow after their ace fast bowler Deepak Chahar was officially ruled out of IPL 2022 following an injury setback at the National Cricket Academy.

The 29-year-old picked up a back injury while rehabilitating from a quadricep injury sustained during the third T20I against West Indies in February.

Chahar was an integral part of CSK's fourth championship win last year, claiming 14 wickets from 15 games at an economy of 8.35.

Chahar sustained the injury days after the auction and missed the subsequent series against Sri Lanka while rehabilitating at the NCA.

There were suggestions that the India seamer would return to action for CSK at the end of April but the setback put paid to all those hopes.

His role as the team's PowerPlay enforcer with the ball got the franchise to break the bank for him at the auction ahead of this season.

In Chahar's absence, CSK lost each of their first four games this season - a first for the franchise. The franchise will be allowed an injury replacement, a decision on which remains to be made.