Exceptional bowling by Deepak Chahar, he bowled very smartly: Sachin Tendulkar

India had some unlikely heroes in their series-clinching win over Bangladesh in the third T20I on Sunday. The biggest hero was fast-bowler Deepak Chahar whose sensational bowling eventually made the difference in a game where fortunes swung from one side to another. He became the first Indian to pick up a hat-trick in T20Is as he registered world-record figures of 6 for 7.

Chahar jolted Bangladesh early on by dismissing Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar on successive deliveries in the third over to leave them reeling at 12 for 2 in their pursuit of 175. But Mohammad Naim and Mohammad Mithun soon steadied the ship and batted Bangladesh to a position of strength. At 110 for 2, the visitors were looking like the favorites.

But the game turned on its head when Rohit Sharma recalled Chahar. In his very first over after re-introduction, Chahar dismissed Mithun to break the 98-run stand. India had then yet another unlikely hero in Shivam Dube as the newcomer took three wickets to all but seal the game for India. Dube sent back star batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck in the 14th over.

In the 16th over, he dismissed Naim and Afif Hossain on consecutive deliveries to leave Bangladesh reeling at 126 for 6. Chahar then finished the game on a high by dismissing Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Aminul Islam on consecutive deliveries spread across two overs to complete his hat-trick and propel India to a comprehensive win.

Before Chahar and Dube, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul had starred with the bat. Both the batsmen scored fifties as India recovered from a shaky start to post 174 for 5. India had lost both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan inside the powerplay. Rahul and Iyer then joined hands to bail the team out of trouble with their stunning knocks.

Praise from Sachin Tendulkar

After the game ended, former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to praise Deepak Chahar and other impressive performers. The legendary batsman lauded Chahar’s smart bowling and also had some words of praise for Dube, Iyer and Rahul. Tendulkar further congratulated India for sealing the series, writing:

“Exceptional bowling by @deepak_chahar9! He bowled very smartly and used his variations well to pick up crucial wickets at crucial stages. Special mention to @IamShivamDube, @ShreyasIyer15 & @klrahul11 to give #TeamIndia the series victory in the decider. #INDvsBAN”

Exceptional bowling by @deepak_chahar9!
He bowled very smartly and used his variations well to pick up crucial wickets at crucial stages.
Special mention to @IamShivamDube, @ShreyasIyer15 & @klrahul11 to give #TeamIndia the series victory in the decider. #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/JTLgrC1dUz

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 10, 2019