In the name of Deepak Chahar, India has found an answer for a fast bowler in the absence of key assets in the side. When you look at India’s scenario in T20Is, the preparations are already on in the build-up to the ICC World T20 to be held in Australia next year. And the 2-1 series over Bangladesh at home will give the side enough platform to look at things and analyze the same.
The man of the moment was right-arm pacer Deepak Chahar, who claimed 6/7 to register the best-ever bowling figures in a T20I match. He achieved the feat during the series decider in Nagpur. The Indian pacer also became the first Indian bowler to get a T20 hat-trick.
Chahar had earlier taken two early wickets from successive balls as Bangladesh slipped to 12 for two. And once again, he was instrumental in breaking the pivotal third-wicket stand after sending back Mohammad Mithun (27). His figures read 2-0-3-3, before the onslaught in the end.
Interestingly, with dew favoring the batsmen, bowling was difficult. But credit to Chahar, who was consistent in his spells. Chahar, though, was even more impressed with the older, wetter ball as he had Shafiul Islam in the 18th over and then got the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Animul Islam in the last over to complete his hat-trick and seal the win for India. His inch-perfect yorker crashed into Aminul Islam’s off-stump to decide the blow.
India won its second T20I series in 2019 and this was a timely victory. However, it isn’t just about one match though that makes Deepak Chahar stand out or be considered as a silent assassin. We analyze the same.
Deepak Chahar has taken the chances presented to him
When you look at his trajectory, Deepak Chahar has grabbed the chances and made his presence felt. In seven T20Is, he has picked up 14 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75. He was superb in the one match he played against West Indies in the series which India won 3-0.
Against South Africa, he impressed as well in both the T20Is. And now against the Tigers, he stood out with eight wickets from three games. The 27-year-old knows what he is doing and is in sync with himself. He has a lot of character in him to learn with time passing by. Just when other bowlers haven’t quite had the consistency, Chahar has been India’s go-to bowler in the absence of the big guns.
This performance will give him a lot of confidence to build upon his game. Simplicity is key and Chahar needs to highlight his trades by keeping things as grounded as possible.
He is someone who was snubbed by Greg Chappell in 2008 when the latter was the Rajasthan Cricket Association Academy director. But that got the best out of him as he battled past all the odds to be where he is today. He is 27 and the changes have come to him pretty late. But when it did come, the humble Chahar knew he had to dig in.
MS Dhoni has shaped Deepak Chahar’s rise
A lot of the help has come from plying his trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has gone on to become a strike bowler at the top for CSK skipper MS Dhoni and the performances have been telling. IPL 2019 was excellent for Chahar, who went on to claim 22 scalps in 17 matches.
The year before that, he had amassed 10 wickets. Dhoni is someone we know who betters a bowler. His knowledge is unmatched and IPL has been his forte. He has eased his influence into Chahar, who has followed the master obediently and the results have followed. Also, Chahar only made his IPL debut in 2017 and played just one game.
So it has been the recent success that has helped him continue with the shine. To enjoy the level of consistency at CSK and getting to deliver the goods successfully helped Chahar immensely.
He is surrounded by some of the best T20 players in the three-time champion outfit. So when you have guidance, it is at the highest level one can ever imagine. And IPL often plays a strong role to get you that belief in T20Is.
Deepak Chahar can be the answer in India’s preparations for World T20
In the build-up to the World T20, Deepak Chahar will play a pivotal part. He might not have Navdeep Saini or for that matter a wayward Khaleel Ahmed to bowl with. What he will have is something more prominent. One will see the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah making their return. They will help Chahar in many ways.
To have the three bowling in Australia will serve a lot of impetus. Prior to that, Deepak Chahar will get many chances to present himself a platform to eye what he has done so well in a tournament like the IPL. To transfer that positive energy for someone like Chahar into T20Is is something remarkable.
He has an excellent range of skills and is someone who derives from the surface rather than trying too hard. He is a thinking bowler and smart to handle the big stage. Now when India is without Bumrah and Bhuvi in T20Is, Deepak Chahar has become the leader of this bowling unit.
When the two return and lead the attack for the T20 World Cup next year, Deepak Chahar will give them immense support and form a deadly trio. Till then we hope he picks up the ante and continues to deliver. He is someone who can be a leading customer in the ranks for Team India in time to come.