Rejection at 16, prodigy at 18 and oblivion at 24. It has been the story of Deepak Chahar so far. Back in 2008, when Greg Chappell was the director of the Rajasthan Cricket Academy, he had snubbed Deepak’s abilities as a young fast bowler.
| Full Name Deepak Lokandersingh Chahar | Born August 07, 1992, Agra, Uttar Pradesh | Also Known As Deepak Chahar |
| Age 32y 252d | Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Medium |
| Playing Role Bowler | RELATIONS RD Chahar (cousin) |
Team
Deepak Chahar – The Resilient Pace Bowler
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 7, 1992 , in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Deepak Chahar’s journey to cricketing recognition was far from smooth. At 16, he faced a major setback when Greg Chappell , then director of the Rajasthan Cricket Academy, rejected him outright, questioning his potential as a fast bowler. However, this rejection only fueled his determination.
Two years later, at 18, Chahar stormed into the spotlight by taking 8 wickets in an innings against Hyderabad, routing them for 21 runs , the lowest total in Indian domestic cricket history. This performance marked him as a prodigious talent, but injuries and inconsistency would soon cast shadows over his career.
Domestic Cricket – A Promising Yet Plagued Journey
- First-Class Debut (2010):
Chahar made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in 2010, showcasing his ability to swing the new ball and trouble top-order batters. - Six Years of Domestic Cricket:
In 35 first-class matches, he claimed 105 wickets at an average of 35.17 , displaying glimpses of brilliance but struggling with consistency due to recurring injuries. - Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2018):
Delivered a breakthrough performance in the T20 domestic tournament, taking crucial wickets and earning recognition. His success here paved the way for his IPL resurgence with Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
While his domestic numbers were modest, his performances in white-ball formats highlighted his potential as a lethal swing bowler.
Indian Premier League (IPL) – A Star New-Ball Specialist
The IPL became the platform where Chahar truly established himself as one of India’s premier white-ball pacers.
- Rajasthan Royals (2011–2015):
Despite being part of the squad, injuries kept him sidelined for significant periods, limiting his impact. - Rising Pune Supergiants (2016–2017):
Showcased flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency, finishing with modest returns. - Chennai Super Kings (2018–2023):
- Became CSK’s new-ball spearhead , delivering match-winning performances.
- Played a pivotal role in CSK’s title wins in 2018 and 2021 , consistently providing early breakthroughs.
- In 2022, a back injury forced him to withdraw mid-season, and despite returning in 2023, he couldn’t replicate his earlier dominance.
- Released ahead of the 2025 mega auction , he was snapped up by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025.
Chahar’s ability to swing the new ball, combined with his knack for delivering under pressure, made him a prized asset in the IPL.
International Cricket – From Breakthrough to Injury Woes
- India A Call-Up (2018):
Selected for the Tri-series involving Windies A and England Lions, Chahar emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps , cementing his place in the national setup. - T20I Debut (2018):
Made his debut against England, though his initial outings were forgettable (1/44 in 4 overs). - Asia Cup and Home Series (2018–2019):
Played sporadically in the Asia Cup and home series against West Indies and Bangladesh, gradually honing his skills. - Historic Spell Against Bangladesh (2019):
Produced one of the greatest T20I bowling performances, claiming 6/7 at Nagpur—the best figures by a full ICC member player in T20Is.
Batting Heroics (2021):
Scored a breathtaking 69 off 82 balls * to guide India to a thrilling chase of 276 against Sri Lanka after being reduced to 193/7 , showcasing his all-round abilities.
Despite his brilliance, persistent injuries hampered his progress, leading to inconsistent selection in the national team.
Playing Style – The Art of Swing and Control
Deepak Chahar is not an express pace bowler, clocking between 135–140 kph , but his mastery lies in his ability to swing the new ball both ways.
- New-Ball Specialist: Known for his seam movement, late swing, and precision, Chahar excels in dismissing top-order batters.
- Old-Ball Improvements: Gradually developed his death-bowling skills, adding variations like slower balls and yorkers to his arsenal.
- Lower-Order Batting: Capable of contributing with the bat, as seen in his match-saving knock against Sri Lanka in 2021.
Legacy and Impact
Deepak Chahar’s career is a story of resilience, grit, and unfulfilled potential. From being rejected at 16 to becoming a household name in Indian cricket, his journey inspires countless young cricketers.
- Records and Achievements:
- Holder of the best T20I bowling figures (6/7) by a full ICC member player.
- Integral to CSK’s IPL triumphs in 2018 and 2021 .
- Match-saving innings of 69 vs Sri Lanka (2021) *.
While injuries have curtailed his consistent presence in the national team, Chahar remains a vital cog in India’s white-ball setup whenever fit.
Why Chahar Stands Out
Deepak Chahar is not just a bowler; he is a game-changer capable of altering the course of a match within a few overs. His ability to swing the new ball, coupled with his lower-order batting prowess, makes him a complete package. If he can overcome his injury woes, there’s no doubt that Chahar will reclaim his spot as one of India’s premier white-ball bowlers.
Deepak Chahar Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 13 | 12 | 510 | 489 | 16 | 3/27 | 3/27 | 30.56 | 5.75 | 31.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 25 | 25 | 540 | 747 | 31 | 6/7 | 6/7 | 24.09 | 8.30 | 17.4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FC | 52 | 89 | 8823 | 4942 | 149 | 8/10 | 12/64 | 33.16 | 3.36 | 59.2 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| List A | 66 | 65 | 2857 | 2511 | 89 | 6/41 | 6/41 | 28.21 | 5.27 | 32.1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 158 | 158 | 3332 | 4350 | 178 | 6/7 | 6/7 | 24.43 | 7.83 | 18.7 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 13 | 9 | 3 | 203 | 69* | 33.83 | 207 | 98.06 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 25 | 7 | 5 | 53 | 31 | 26.50 | 28 | 189.28 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| FC | 52 | 72 | 11 | 1061 | 57* | 17.39 | 1888 | 56.19 | 0 | 2 | 136 | 34 | 19 | 0 |
| List A | 66 | 46 | 7 | 746 | 69* | 19.12 | 844 | 88.38 | 0 | 4 | 51 | 39 | 12 | 0 |
| T20s | 158 | 57 | 25 | 453 | 55* | 14.15 | 331 | 136.85 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 0 |
Deepak Chahar T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 3 teams | 87 | 87 | 1759 | 2373 | 82 | 4/13 | 4/13 | 28.93 | 8.09 | 21.4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 3 teams | 87 | 15 | 7 | 108 | 39 | 13.50 | 75 | 144.00 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Deepak Chahar
ODI Matches
Debut
Afghanistan vs India at Dubai (DICS) – September 25, 2018
Last
Bangladesh vs India at Mirpur – December 07, 2022
T20 International Matches
Debut
England vs India at Bristol – July 08, 2018
Last
India vs Australia at Raipur – December 01, 2023
FC Matches
Debut
Hyderabad vs Rajasthan at Jaipur – November 01 – 03, 2010
Last
Rajasthan vs Uttarakhand at Dehradun – November 13 – 16, 2024
List A Matches
Debut
Vidarbha vs Rajasthan at Indore – February 10, 2010
Last
Rajasthan vs Vidarbha at Vadodara – January 12, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Vidarbha vs Rajasthan at Jaipur – October 25, 2010
Last
MI vs DC at Delhi – April 13, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru