NEWS
Follow UsDeepak Chahar bowled immaculate lines and lengths on his way to career-best Indian Premier League (IPL) figures during Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Friday (April 16). Chahar's 4 for 13 reduced Punjab to just 106 for 8 and CSK chased it down with six wickets and 26 balls to spare.
Chahar said that he is happy to prove his critics wrong with a match-winning performance especially there were cries on social media calling for his axe from the team. "Expectations are high here and you have to perform in every game. So this is for that man, who made the comment, if I would not have played, this performance might have not come," Chahar told IPL's official website.
The fast bowler also acknowledged that there was enough assistance for him from the pitch. "Looking at today's wicket and today's performance, I must say that Wankhede is my favourite ground because you get help in the starting (from the pitch)," Chahar said.
"But it was not the case in the previous game that we played (against Delhi Capitals) was a high-scoring one, that time there was no swing or seam. Yes, there was help today from the wicket and so this is one of the favourite grounds," he added.
CSK captain MS Dhoni decided to give Chahar the chance to bowl all his four overs in one go as there was some movement on offer for him - a role the fast bowler doesn't mind. "It was a good feeling. It (the spell) came at an important time as we needed to win this game.
"It was thus necessary to provide a good start and this was an important match for us and I am very happy that I could contribute to the team's win," Chahar who plays for Rajasthan in domestic cricket said.
His impressive spell earned praise from India head coach Ravi Shastri on social media.
Chahar's spell of 4 for 13 included as many as 18 dot balls.