WATCH: CSK’s Deepak Chahar switches from seam up to knuckle ball at the very last minute to clean up MI batter

Deepak Chahar has grown immensely over the last couple of years, from seam bowler who would complete his quota in the first half of the innings to now broadening his expertise with the ball in hand. He was at his quintessential best last night as the Chennai Super Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians in an […]
 

Deepak Chahar has grown immensely over the last couple of years, from seam bowler who would complete his quota in the first half of the innings to now broadening his expertise with the ball in hand. He was at his quintessential best last night as the Chennai Super Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians in an enthralling contest between sides who share 8 IPL titles between them.

Deepak Chahar chipped in with figures of 2/19 in 4 overs and ensured the defending champions got nowhere close to the 157-run target set by CSK. Chahar started on a brilliant note, conceding just two runs in the opening over of the game and also picking up the first wicket of the innings in his next over. MS Dhoni had trusted the fast bowler to go for another over like he usually does, and this time, Chahar delivered something out of the box.

Anmolpreet Singh was found playing across the line a lot, trying to flick the ball towards fine leg and backward square a lot. He scored three boundaries with beautiful wristy shots on the leg side in the previous over from Josh Hazlewood, which popped an interesting thought in Chahar’s head, to exploit his movement inside the crease to the bowler’s benefit.

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He mixed things up well in the 5th over, bowling two quick deliveries and a slower one in the middle, with Anmol getting no rewards out of it. The batter making his IPL debut got under pressure and tried to break the shackles with another one of those lofted shots on the leg side, but Chahar deceived him with a stunning knuckleball. Anmolpreet was through with the shot and found that the ball had reached many moments later.

Here’s a look at Chahar’s outstanding slower delivery.

Deepak Chahar keen on impressing the national selectors

A lot of fans had opined on social media that India had one too many spinners in their lineup and Deepak Chahar could’ve been a potent addition instead of one of the spinners. However, Chahar only made it to the reserves and will be around the Indian team, waiting for a stroke of fortune to enter the 15-man Indian squad. As it stands, he will be desperate to continue performing well in the IPL to ensure he remains well ahead in contention.