Deepak

Chahar

Deepak Chahar Biography and Career

Renowned for his impressive swing bowling and valuable contributions with the bat, Deepak Chahar has emerged as a notable figure in Indian cricket. His ability to swing the ball, especially in the early overs of the match, has proved beneficial for every team he has played for in his career.

In his first-class cricket debut, Chahar amazed cricket enthusiasts with his impressive performance. During the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy, playing for Rajasthan, he took 8 wickets for just 10 runs against Hyderabad, helping to dismiss them for just 21 runs -- the lowest total in the history of the tournament.

His performances in his domestic career brought him into the limelight and opened the door for opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In 2016, he was signed by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS), which marked his IPL debut. However, it was his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2018 that truly showcased his talent.

Under the leadership of Mahendra Sing Dhoni, Chahar evolved into an important player in CSK's bowling lineup, particularly known for his effectiveness during the powerplay overs. His best IPL season came in 2019, where he took 22 wickets in 17 matches, finishing third on the Purple Cap list.

His continued performances caught the attention of cricket experts and in the 2022 IPL auction, he was again bought by CSK for a whopping Rs 14 crore, making him the second most expensive player in the auction. However, a back injury unfortunately sidelined him for that season.

During the mega auction for the IPL 2025 season, he was acquired by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 9.25 crore.

Chahar's performances in domestic and IPL have got recognition from selectors, which eventually secured him a spot in the Indian team.

He made his debut in a Twenty20 International (T20I) game against England on July 8, 2018. While he took just one wicket on his debut, he shone in a T20 match against West Indies in 2019. Playing in the final match of the series, he took 3 wickets for 4 runs and won the Player of the Match award.

He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Afghanistan on September 25, 2018, during the 2018 Asia Cup.

A breakthrough moment in his international career came on November 10, 2019, during a T20I match against Bangladesh, where he bowled a record-breaking spell and took 6 wickets for 7 runs, including a hat-trick -- the first by an Indian male cricketer in T20Is.

This remarkable performance earned him the T20I Performance of the Year award by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in January 2020.

Chahar's ability to swing the ball both ways and his knack for taking crucial wickets make him an asset to any team. While his bowling was appreciated by cricket enthusiasts, he also played a useful role for the team with his batting.

Chahar scored his maiden ODI half-century in a match against Sri Lanka on July 20, 2021, He scored 69 runs not out. In September, he was named as one of three reserve players in India's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

His second half-century in ODIs came against South Africa on January 23, 2022. He smashed 54 runs on just 34 balls. His strike rate in that match was 158.82. Against Zimbabwe in 2022, he got his best bowling figure of 3/27.

Chahar's swing bowling and his handy batting down the order have been key contributors to his team's performances, especially when under pressure. His calm behaviour on the field reflects his focus and commitment, qualities that have made him popular with fans and teammates alike.

Beyond Cricket

Deepak Chahar's life outside cricket is as interesting as his cricket career. He is married to Jaya Bhardwaj, whom he proposed to during the last league-stage match of the 2021 IPL. They married in Agra on June 1, 2022. 

Jaya is a businesswoman and also the sister of model and former Bigg Boss contestant Siddharth Bhardwaj. Jaya has always been a support for Deepak, often seen cheering him on during matches. The couple co-founded the fantasy sports platform Trade Fantasy Game, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.

Chahar and his wife were also welcomed by The Kapil Sharma Show in 2023 along with other cricketers such as Suresh Raina and Aakash Chopra in 2023.

Deepak's social media presence offers fans a glimpse into his personal life, showcasing moments with family, travel experiences, and interactions with teammates. He is also a fitness enthusiast and often posts his training sessions on his Instagram account. He has a following of 2.9 million on Instagram.

Beyond his cricket career, he’s expanded into business, founding his own sports brand, DNINE Sports. He invested over 18 months in research and development to create the perfect cricket shoe. Apart from that, he has endorsed brands like Oppo, DSC, Blackberries, and CoinSwitch Kuber.

Depak Chahar Records

Depak Chahar ODI Records:

• Best bowling figures (2022): Took 3 wickets for 27 runs in a match against Zimbabwe at an economy rate of 6.00.

Depak Chahar T20I Records:

• First Indian male cricketer to take a hat-trick in a T20I match (2019): Achieved this feat in a match against Bangladesh, where he took his first five-wicket haul and best bowling figure of 6/7.

   

Depak Chahar IPL Records:

• Second highest wicket-taker for CSK (2019): Took 22 wickets in 17 matches, behind Imran Tahir who was the leading wicket-taker with 26 wickets.

Depak Chahar Other formats:

• Best performance on first-class debut: Took eight wickets for 10 runs (8/10) against Hyderabad in the 2010–11 Ranji Trophy.