Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar: India’s Swing King and Rising All-Rounder

Deepak Chahar has emerged as one of India’s most promising swing bowlers in recent years. Known for his ability to move the new ball both ways and contribute with the bat, Chahar has become a valuable asset in limited-overs cricket. His record-breaking performances and cool temperament under pressure make him one of India’s brightest pace-bowling prospects.

Early and Personal Life

Deepak Lokendrasingh Chahar was born on August 7, 1992, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. He grew up in a disciplined environment, with his father, Lokendra Singh Chahar, leaving his job to focus entirely on coaching him. His sister, Malti Chahar, is a model and actress who also gained popularity during IPL seasons.

Chahar trained rigorously at Zila Cricket Academy in Rajasthan under the guidance of coach Navendu Tyagi. He faced several challenges, including injuries and early rejections from state teams. However, his determination and support from family helped him stay focused on his cricketing dreams.

Domestic Career

Deepak Chahar made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in 2010–11, and instantly made headlines by taking 8 wickets for 10 runs against Hyderabad in his debut match. That performance remains one of the best bowling figures in Indian domestic cricket.

He continued to perform well in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic formats like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, consistently swinging the ball and troubling top-order batters.

Chahar was later picked by Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2016 IPL, where he started gaining attention in the shortest format. However, his true breakthrough came when he joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

IPL and Domestic Stats Snapshot:

Format Team(s)
Ranji Trophy Rajasthan
IPL Rising Pune Supergiant, CSK
List A & T20 Domestic Rajasthan, India A

His time with India A also proved critical, where he worked under coaches like Rahul Dravid, refining his batting and bowling skills.

International Career

ODI and T20I Debut

Deepak Chahar made his T20I debut for India on July 8, 2018, against England. He impressed with his ability to swing the ball up front. Soon after, he made his ODI debut on September 5, 2018, against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup.

Rise to Fame

Chahar’s major breakthrough came on November 10, 2019, when he took 6 wickets for 7 runs against Bangladesh in a T20I match. That performance earned him the record for the best bowling figures in T20 internationals and also included a hat-trick—the first-ever by an Indian in T20Is.

Notable Achievements:

  • First Indian to take a hat-trick in T20Is
  • Best T20I bowling figures in history (6/7)
  • Consistent powerplay wicket-taker
  • Capable lower-order batter with match-finishing abilities

Batting Heroics

In July 2021, Chahar played a stunning knock of 69 in an ODI against Sri Lanka*, rescuing India from a collapse and guiding them to victory. That innings showcased his all-round capabilities and temperament under pressure.

Injury Setbacks and Comebacks

Deepak Chahar has struggled with injuries, particularly hamstring and back issues, which have limited his appearances for India. However, he remains part of India’s white-ball plans and is regularly seen in training camps and domestic matches making his comeback.