Deepak Chahar, an Indian bowler, has played a significant influence in his brother Rahul Chahar’s professional cricket achievements. Deepak discussed how he helped Rahul become a leg spinner.
The pacer remembered a day when he went on an audition to check what his brother Rahul was excellent at. They eventually concluded that the leg-spin is the best strategy to proceed.
Deepak Chahar discussed Rahul Chahar’s improvement as a cricketer on the show ‘Breakfast with Champions:
Rahul (Chahar) started playing from the age of 8-9 years. I wanted to see what he could do, so I told him to bowl fast and then bat, but nothing seemed good enough. Then, he bowled a bit of leg-spin and I thought that it was promising. He used to get scared of catching balls so there have been instances in childhood where I have forced him to catch the ball in closed nets.”
Deepak Chahar also admitted to scolding Rahul Chahar once for dropping a simple catch off his bowling in a Ranji Trophy match.
“We once had a Ranji Trophy match in Goa amidst New Year’s Eve. On the 1st of January, I could see many players not even able to open their eyes properly on the field. Rahul dropped an absolute dolly at mid wicket off my bowling. I said, ‘Raat bhar paartiyan karte ho aur phir khelne aate ho mu uthaake (You party all night and then just saunter in to play).'”
Deepak Chahar on how he decided to become a cricketer
Deepak Chahar stated that as a child, he enjoyed playing but was terrified of his father anytime he saw him play. However, he recall one incident when his father did not scold him but instead asked him an important question. This one question altered his life forever.
Once I was playing for quite a long time and when I saw my father, I thought I would get scolded. But surprisingly, he said nothing and gave me the tiffin and went away. After reaching home, he asked me whether I wanted to study or become a cricketer or play other sports. I was always ready to work hard and my father knew I would choose cricket.”
Chahar’s challenges and hard work over the years have been important in his ability to build out a successful career as a professional cricketer.