Indian cricket has always had a wealth of spin bowling talent, and Rahul Chahar is among them, known for his crafty leg-spin abilities.
Unlike traditional leg spinners, who rely heavily on flight to lure batsmen out of their crease, Rahul Chahar belongs to the modern breed of leg spinners. He focuses on controlling the run rate, building pressure, and taking wickets.
Initially, Rahul Chahar was considered India's promising young wrist spinner. However, he struggled to secure a permanent spot in the Indian squad. Despite donning the Indian jersey only seven times since his debut in 2019, he couldn't quite make his mark on the international stage.
It's not that he performed poorly whenever given a chance, but his inconsistency and lack of bowling control raised doubts among the selectors and management.
In this article, we will explore three of Rahul Chahar's bowling performances that demonstrate his potential to excel in international cricket across all three formats.
3. 3/19 against Delhi Capitals, Arun Jaitley Stadium, 2019
In 2019, during the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC), Rahul Chahar's outstanding performance made him almost impossible to play against on the sluggish Kotla wicket. The surface was gripping and holding the ball, giving Chahar an advantage.
Chasing a challenging target of 169 set by MI, Delhi got off to a good start. To capitalize on Prithvi Shaw's weakness against leg spin, MI skipper Rohit Sharma entrusted the very first over to Chahar. With clever variations, Chahar kept Shaw in check and quiet.
Feeling the pressure on Shaw, Chahar cleverly varied his deliveries, using flight and pulling back his length. This tactic led Shaw to skip the ball to long-on, ultimately trapping him.
Next up was DC captain Shreyas Iyer, who faced a special delivery from Chahar. The ball drifted after pitching on the leg stump, drawing Iyer forward and deceiving him with dip and turn, hitting the off stump.
In the end, Chahar's exceptional bowling earned him figures of 3/19, contributing significantly to Mumbai's massive 40-run victory.
2. 3/15 against Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2021
Even though the spell resulted in a loss, it clearly showcased that Rahul Chahar truly belongs among the elite.
In the face of a weakened Indian batting lineup, which could only muster 81/8 in their allotted 20 overs due to Wanindu Hasaranga's destructive performance, the bowlers needed to respond in a similar manner.
Regrettably, apart from Chahar, the other bowlers struggled to mount any significant challenge against the Sri Lankan batsmen. Hailing from Rajasthan, the leg-spinner skillfully varied his lengths and speeds, consistently maintaining a tight line that restricted the batters effectively.
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1. 4/27 against Kolkata Knight Riders, Chepauk, 2021
On a challenging Chepauk pitch that was a bit slow, the Mumbai Indians successfully scored 153 runs within the allotted 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav shone with the bat, achieving a half-century with a strike rate of over 150.
In pursuit of a demanding total, openers Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill initiated an impressive start for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). It seemed as though KKR was on track to win with an over or two to spare.
Just as Kolkata appeared to be taking control of the match, Rohit made a strategic move by entrusting the ball to Rahul Chahar. Chahar brilliantly outfoxed the batsmen, seizing the momentum. He dismissed Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, and Nitish Rana, dismantling Kolkata's batting lineup.
The Knight Riders eventually fell short of the target by 10 runs, and Chahar earned the Player of the Match award for his exceptional performance, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs.
Conclusion -
Rahul Chahar's impressive performances across formats highlight his potential for success on the international stage with Team India. He has shown through three remarkable spells that he is capable of excelling in all formats of the game. For cricket enthusiasts, the Fast Live Line app and website offer an exceptional live match experience that is unmatched. The app serves as a live match companion, providing real-time updates and insights, making every moment of the game come alive. With the guidance of the Live Line Guru, fans are equipped with accurate and rapid information, elevating their cricket involvement to new heights. Stay connected, stay informed, and stay ahead in the game with the Fast Live Line app and website – your ultimate live match app and the pathway to becoming a true Live Line Guru.
