Deepak Lokandersingh Chahar, the Indian cricket player, is known for his classical swing bowling skills combined with T20 smarts. Born on August 7, 1992, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Chahar has emerged as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country.
Chahar’s cricketing journey began when he made his first-class debut for Rajasthan during the 2010-11 season. His outstanding performance in his debut match against Hyderabad left everyone in awe as he finished with exceptional figures of 8 for 10, contributing to Hyderabad’s astonishing all-out score of 21. However, injuries and fitness issues posed significant challenges for Chahar, hampering his progress in the early stages of his career.
Determined to bounce back, Chahar reinvented himself as a T20 specialist. Under the guidance of the legendary captain MS Dhoni, he showcased his skills for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Chahar’s contributions were instrumental in CSK’s triumphant return to the IPL in 2018. Remarkably, he went on to finish as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s next edition with impressive figures of 22 wickets at a strike rate of 17.5. His remarkable performance included a spell of 3 for 26 in the final. Chennai Super Kings retained Chahar for a hefty sum of US$1.8 million at the 2022 IPL auction, reflecting his immense value to the team.
However, fate had different plans for Chahar as a back injury kept him out of the entire IPL season and prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup. Although he was initially named in the reserves for the T20 World Cup, his back injury dashed his dreams of representing India on the global stage.
Deepak Chahar is often compared to Praveen Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar due to his impressive swing bowling technique. To further polish his skills, Chahar learned the art of swing bowling at his father’s coaching academy. His ability to swing the ball both ways and exploit the conditions has made him a valuable asset to any team he represents.
One of Chahar’s strengths is his effectiveness during the powerplay overs. Dhoni frequently utilized him as an opening bowler, trusting him to deliver crucial breakthroughs. Chahar’s contribution at the death overs cannot be overlooked either. He has shown exceptional skill and composure in difficult conditions, as demonstrated during his record-breaking spell against Bangladesh in 2019. Despite dewy conditions and an old ball, Chahar claimed six wickets for a mere seven runs, making it the best bowling figures in T20Is to date. Notably, four of his six wickets, including a spectacular hat-trick, were taken during the challenging phase of the innings.
Beyond his bowling prowess, Chahar is also a valuable lower-order batsman. In an ODI match against Sri Lanka in July 2021, he displayed his resilience and batting abilities by guiding India’s chase with a magnificent unbeaten knock of 69 from the eighth position.
As of now, Deepak Chahar continues to be a vital asset for Indian cricket. His swing bowling abilities, combined with his determination and adaptability, have earned him a respectable position in the Indian cricket fraternity. With his ongoing passion and commitment, Chahar is poised to further contribute to the success of Indian cricket in the years to come.
