Deepak Chahar produced a stellar bowling performance to help India register a series-clinching 30-run victory over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I at Nagpur on Sunday (November 10).
Dew under lights was a major threat as India strived to defend the target of 175 runs. At one stage, Bangladesh were cruising with Mohammad Naim striking the ball cleanly. But Chahar wreaked havoc on the visiting batsmen in his second spell and turned the match on its head.
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The 27-year-old pacer finished with the record-breaking figures of 6/7 as India eventually won the match comfortably.
Speaking to IANS after the match, Chahar, who also became the first Indian male cricketer to pick a hat-trick in the shortest format, said skipper Rohit Sharma’s faith on him did wonders to his confidence.
"He told me I will use you as a Bumrah today. I will bowl you in the crucial overs and that was motivating for me. I love it when I am given responsibility under pressure because that makes me feel that I am being trusted. I feel bad when nobody trusts me. To get that confidence from the captain felt good at that stage of the game," he stated.
Chahar also acknowledged that Jasprit Bumrah is the No.1 bowler at present in the shortest format and it is a matter of pride to be compared to the speedster.
"Imandar hona chahiye (You should be honest)...I know where he stands and I also know where I stand. He is the No.1 bowler in the format and as a T20 bowler, he has everything, be it pace or control. He is the No.1 bowler for me and saying that is not a shame. I am not competing with him and my job is to do well. You need to focus on the game and the team should win and that has to be the priority.
"When they were cruising at the end of 12 overs, I wanted to walk up to him and ask for the ball from the captain, but I didn't because I knew the captain would have his plan and give me the ball. The whole thought was that we shouldn't lose the game and the series. What matters when you play for the country is to perform and win matches," he explained.
Cricket experts have often spoken about how he is more of a new-ball bowler, but Chahar silenced all with his performance in the all-important match.
"People assumed that and didn't give me a chance to bowl at the death. Whenever I got a chance, I bowled well. I have bowled before as well, even for my state. Generally you don't bowl those bowlers at the death who bowl at less than 130kph, but I don't have that issue. I have bowled around 135kph even in the IPL and say in CSK I wasn't used because Mahi bhai had other bowlers.
"It depends also on the captain. Team requirement is also something that you need to look into. Like on Sunday we had only two fast bowlers in Khaleel Ahmed and me. Shivam Dube isn't a proper fast bowler. So, Rohit bhaiya used me in the death. When I played before, the set-up needed me to bowl at the top," he pointed.
While most players are preparing keeping the T20 World Cup 2020 in mind, Chahar doesn’t want to think too far ahead.
"World T20 is about 11 months away and that is a long time. Obviously I have that in the mind and we are looking to win the trophy, but as a sportsman you can't think so far as there is a lot of international cricket before that as well as the IPL. I want to gain more trust from the management till then and there will be times where I will get hit and I want to still gain the trust of the team so that they support me. Performing in every match is the goal.
"I take every game as the last as the competition is very high and the fast bowling unit is doing really well. Cementing your place in this team is very tough, so I look to perform every time I get an opportunity," he concluded.
