Been Trying Hard, My Efforts Have Paid Off: Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar is generally a swing bowler. Playing for CSK and even for India in the past, he bowled most of his overs with the new ball, but last night, his role was changed by the Indian stand-in captain Rohit Sharma.

Chahar was told ahead of the start of the Bangladesh innings that he would bowl the “crucial overs” for India. The 27-year old was given just one over in the powerplay. He got two wickets in that over, but he was taken off.

When Chahar returned for his second spell, the ball was wet and Bangladesh were running away with the game.

It was a huge challenge because Chahar is a swing bowler. His strength is to move the ball in the air and there was no way it was going to happen in dewy conditions. But, Chahar took the challenge head on.

He figured out that although there was dew, the pitch was still a bit too-paced and he decided to bowl into the pitch rolling his fingers over the ball.

Deepak Chahar knew the Bangladesh batsmen would come after him and he didn’t give them any pace to work with.

The Rajasthan pacer first broke the partnership between Mohammad Naim and Mohammad Mithun which was a turning point in the game. Mithun went for a lofted shot over long off, but was holed out in the deep and Bangladesh lost the momentum.

Later Chahar got a hattrick in the last over of the game, but it was the wicket of Mithun which was his most significant contribution. He eventually finished with the figures of 6 for 7 which was incredible in a T20I game.

“I never thought of this, not even in my dreams. I have been trying to work hard since my childhood and my efforts have paid off.” Chahar was quoted saying in the post-match presentation ceremony.