As India’s premier swing bowler, Deepak Chahar celebrates his 34th birthday on August 7, 2026, his journey in cricket stands as a testament to perseverance and skill.
From a remarkable domestic debut to etching his name in international record books, Chahar has consistently proven his mettle, making him a vital asset for both his domestic and franchise teams.
Domestic Dominance and IPL Stardom
Born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Chahar began his professional career with a bang, making his first-class debut for Rajasthan in the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy. In that memorable match against Hyderabad, he claimed an incredible 8 wickets for just 10 runs, helping to bowl Hyderabad out for a mere 21 runs – the lowest total in Ranji Trophy history. His ability to swing the ball prodigiously quickly garnered attention.
Chahar’s IPL journey started with Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 before he joined Chennai Super Kings in 2018, where he flourished under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, becoming a key bowler in the powerplay overs. For the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons, Chahar has been a crucial part of the Mumbai Indians squad, contributing with early breakthroughs and impactful spells.
International Breakthrough and Record-Breaking Feats
Deepak Chahar made his T20 International (T20I) debut for India on July 8, 2018, against England. His One Day International (ODI) debut followed on September 25, 2018, during the Asia Cup against Afghanistan. However, it was in November 2019 that Chahar etched his name in cricket history during a T20I match against Bangladesh in Nagpur. He delivered a stunning spell, taking 6 wickets for just 7 runs in 3.2 overs, which included the first-ever hat-trick by an Indian male cricketer in T20Is. These figures also stood as the best bowling performance in men’s T20I history at the time. For this extraordinary achievement, Chahar was awarded the ICC T20I Performance of the Year in January 2020. Beyond his bowling prowess, Chahar has also proven to be a handy lower-order batsman, scoring two half-centuries in ODIs, including an unbeaten 69.
Career Snapshot (as of August 6, 2026)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Runs | Highest Score | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 13 | 16 | 3/27 | 203 | 69* | 2 |
| T20I | 25 | 31 | 6/7 | 53 | 31 | 0 |
| IPL | 103 | 96 | 4/13 | 142 | 39 | 0 |
Key Honours
ICC T20I Performance of the Year: 2019
First Indian male cricketer to take a T20I hat-trick
Holder of the best bowling figures in men’s T20I history (6/7)
Part of India’s 2018 Asia Cup winning squad
As Deepak Chahar continues to enthrall fans with his exceptional swing bowling and valuable contributions with the bat, his career remains a source of inspiration. His journey underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and delivering under pressure, solidifying his status as a key player in Indian cricket.