Deepak Chahar Reveals Secret Behind World Record Haul, Hat-Trick In T20I Vs Bangladesh

Deepak Chahar had a historic night during the third and final Twenty20 International against Bangladesh at the VCA stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. Chahar became the first Indian to take a hat-trick  when he got the wickets of Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Aminul Islam. In the process, he took 6/7 in 3.2 overs and he had the best figures in the history of Twenty20 Internationals, breaking the previous record of 6/8 which was set by Ajantha Mendis in the 2012 World T20 encounter in Hambantota. Speaking after the match to the Yuzvendra Chahal hosted Chahal TV, Chahar credited the world record feat to his experience of playing for Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.

"Playing in Chennai, I have now realised how to counter dew and sweat. How to keep my hands clean. At times, rub dry soil in your hands and then bowl (so that hands don't get slippery). Since the side boundaries (at VCA Stadium) were big and that was the plan that we will have to force the batsman to play shots on the sides. I also wanted to vary the pace as the ball was getting wet because of the dew and it was difficult to grip," Chahar said. 

It was a brilliant game for Chahar who struck in his opening spell with two wickets, broke a dangerous stand in the middle overs and proceeded to help India win the match and the series by taking a hat-trick in the death overs. Chahar said his bowling on that day was the stuff dreams are made of and attributed it to hard work. 

"Came to know in the end that I got a hat-trick since I got the first wicket off the last ball of previous over. Even if you sit back at home and dream, you will not think that in four overs, you will get six wickets for 7 runs. I've just been wanting to work hard. It's all God's help that I'm here. Today the plan was to bowl upfront with the new ball. I was told I'll be bowling the crucial overs. Happy the team management gave me that responsibility," Chahar said. 

When Chahar took the hat-trick, he joined Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Jasprit Bumrah as the other Indian bowlers to have taken hat-tricks in ODIs and Tests. When he won the Man of the Match award, Chahar credited India skipper Rohit Sharma for the feat.

" I have been trying to work hard since my childhood and my efforts have paid off. Rohit was planning to give me the crucial overs and the management wanted to do the same. I always focus on the next ball, I keep doing that, until I don't complete my spell," Chahar added.

Also Read | Deepak Chahar Takes Hat-Trick, Picks 6/7 As India Win Nagpur T20I To Clinch Series 2-1

With the Twenty20 International series now done, it is now time for the two Tests which will be played in Indore and Kolkata starting on November 14. The second Test in Kolkata will be a Day-Night affair and it will be the first time both India and Bangladesh will play with the Pink Ball.

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