In recent times, the teenage leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has impressed with his consistent bowling performances. Recently, he has revealed his role model in cricket. The 19-year-old Chahar is currently playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2019.
After their last match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on Friday (26th April) night, the leggie revealed that the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne is his role model.
He said in the post-match press conference, “I think Shane Warne (my idol). When I was young, my coach and uncle used to bring his DVDs and show his highlights to me. I started watching and learning from him when I was eight years old.”
Chahar was economical during their away match against CSK. After losing the toss, MI managed to score 155/4 (20 overs) in the first innings. In reply, MS Dhoni-less CSK massively failed in the second innings as they were bundled out for just 109 runs (17.4 overs). While MI won that match by 46 runs, Rahul Chahar had the bowling figures of 4-0-21-0.
In the ongoing IPL season, the youngster has already taken nine wickets in eight matches. At present, he is the leading wicket-taker as an MI spinner in this IPL season. His economy rate in this season is also impressive which is 6.43.
Rahul Chahar spoke about his bowling style
Many experts have liked his little different bowling style which is slightly quicker in the air. During the post-match press conference, the teenager explained how he was able to generate this bowling style.
He said, “Since childhood, I was also told that the times are changing and bowling slower won’t be as effective as it was in the past. Since childhood, I was told that I should focus on getting turn while bowling faster.”
Shane Bond and Zaheer Khan have backed me well: Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar made his IPL debut in 2017 season when he served for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS). He played three matches in that season and picked up two wickets.
In the 2018 IPL Auction, MI bought this teenager for INR 1.90 crore. Though he didn’t play a game in the IPL 2018, he has impressed this season. For his early career success, he has credited MI bowling coach Shane Bond and their Director of Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan.
Chahar said, “I was with Mumbai Indians last season as well and I got the opportunity to learn a lot through my coaches such as Shane Bond. Zaheer Khan has also helped me a lot.
“Slowly I am starting to gain confidence as I am bowling well in the ongoing season. Shane Bond and Zaheer Khan have backed me well. During net sessions, they guide me. Whenever I need them, they are there.”
Chahar has also performed well in the recent domestic cricket. Since his professional cricket debut in November 2016, he has played 12 first-class matches, 22 List A matches and 21 T20s. The leg-spinner has already picked up 49 first-class wickets, 38 List A wickets and 23 T20 wickets.
In the 2018/19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was the leading wicket-taker for his team Rajasthan as well as he was also the third leading wicket-taker in that tournament. He took 20 wickets in nine matches in that tournament with an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 4.28