Deepak Chahar claimed the best-ever figures by a male in a T20I with his remarkable 6/7 in India's 30-run win in Nagpur against Bangladesh that sealed the three-match series 2-1 on Sunday (November 10).
Chahar's astonishing effort included a hat-trick, first for a male Indian bowler, as he helped India defend the 175-run target and was awarded the "Player-of-the-Match".
"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," he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
After Deepak got India the early breakthroughs of Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar, young Mohammad Naim and Mohammad Mithun stitched a threatening 98-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, the Rajasthan pacer made short work of the rest of the visitors' batting unit with help from inexperienced all-rounder Shivam Dube and veteran leggie Yuzvendra Chahal.
Off-spinner Washington Sundar delivered yet another miserly spell.
"Rohit was planning to give me the crucial overs and the management wanted to do the same. I always focus on the next ball and keep doing that until I complete my spell," Chahar concluded.
Before Deepak, the record for best T20I figures by a male bowler were held by Ajantha Mendis who took 6/8 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
(Inputs from IANS)
