Deepak Chahar‘s affection for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hasn’t decreased one bit, despite joining their arch-rival, the Mumbai Indians, for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The all-rounder Deepak Chahar spent 6 seasons at CSK, taking 76 wickets in 76 matches and was part of three titles runs (2018, 2021 and 2023).
Deepak Chahar made his CSK debut under the leadership of MS Dhoni in 2018. In his first year for CSK, he put in impressive performances and played a vital role in the team’s title win. He went on from strength to strength since that year. However, he was signed by CSK’s arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the recently concluded auction. CSK tried hard to get back Deepak Chahar but lost an intense bidding war. As a result, the bowling allrounder went to Mumbai Indians for INR 9.25 crore.
Deepak Chahar’s numbers in IPL and international cricket
Deepak Chahar has played 81 matches in the IPL and picked up 77 wickets at an average of 28.84 and an economy rate of 7.98. He is also a useful batter down the order and can contribute crucial runs with the bat.
Based on his IPL performances, Deepak Chahar was selected in the Indian squad as well. He has picked up 31 wickets in 25 T20Is at an average of 24.09 and an economy rate of 8.30. He also played 13 ODIs and picked up 16 wickets at an average of 30.56.
Deepak Chahar’s use with the new ball by CSK during his stint with the men in yellow.
Deepak Chahar was used as a new ball bowler in the powerplay by MS Dhoni. The 32-year-old established himself as one of the best new ball bowlers in the IPL with his ability to swing and seam the ball both ways.
Over the years, Deepak Chahar developed his repertoire and even started bowling at the death. Dhoni made excellent use of Chahar’s skills and bowled him mostly with the new ball to extract the best out of him.
Deepak Chahar will now begin his new journey with another highly successful IPL team Mumbai Indians. Being a quality bowler with the new ball, he is likely to get a good amount of assistance at Wankhede Stadium. His batting skills will also be exciting to see on a high-scoring ground like Wankhede Stadium. He will be playing against Dhoni, who is still playing for Chennai Super Kings and will be in action in the upcoming IPL season.
Deepak Chahar played under MS Dhoni for five of these seasons and shared a great bond with the former CSK skipper. Two weeks ago, Suresh Raina asked the all-rounder, ‘Will he miss Dhoni?’ Chahar was quick to reply, ‘Obviously, who won’t miss him?’ The wicketkeeper remains elusive as he carries on with his life without even carrying a phone; Chahar hasn’t been able to talk to him.
Former CSK pacer Deepak Chahar says he’ll catch up with Dhoni before IPL 2025 begins
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar has said he is keen to meet ex-India captain MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025 after joining Mumbai Indians (MI) at the auction last month. Chahar hinted that he will meet Dhoni in person since the latter doesn’t pick up calls. Notably, the claim that Dhoni is unavailable over phone calls is not new.
Deepak Chahar further expressed his gratitude for his stint with the Super Kings after the franchise failed to buy him at the auction.
Deepak Chahar recently told SportsStar:
“Mahi bhai doesn’t talk much over the phone, but I’ll definitely meet him soon. I had a great time under him at CSK, and even though we’ll be on opposite sides now, I’ll catch up with him before the season begins.”
Notably, Deepak Chahar thrived as a powerplay bowler under Dhoni in the IPL. He has played for CSK from 2018 to 2024. He also spent a couple of seasons with Dhoni at the now-defunct Rising Pune SuperGiants.
The 32-year-old has joint fifth-highest wickets in powerplay, picking up 60 scalps so far.
Most powerplay wickets in IPL:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 74
- Trent Boult – 63
- Sandeep Sharma – 62
- Umesh Yadav – 61
- Ishant Sharma and Deepak Chahar – 60
Deepak Chahar grateful on stint with CSK
Deepak Chahar recently expressed his gratitude to MS Dhoni and CSK. He told Sports Tak (via Hindustan Times):
“Mahi bhai has supported me from the start, that’s why I wanted to come here. But my name came on the second day at the auction, so I had a fair idea that it would be difficult for me to get back to CSK. They had a low purse, but still bid till INR 9 crore despite a purse of INR 13 crore.”
“I had made up my mind that it would be difficult. Last year, my name came first, that’s why it was easier to get back to CSK,” he added.
Notably, CSK entered a bidding war with MI and Punjab Kings (PBKS) before the Mumbai-based franchise won the bid. They splurged a whopping INR 9.25 crore for the Agra-born medium pacer.
In an old interview, Chahar’s father Lokendra Singh had also shared how Dhoni helped Deepak propose to his wife Jaya during an IPL match.