Rahul Chahar
Role: Bowler (Leg-spin)
DOB: 04 August 1999
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: INR 50 Lakh (last auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 63 | 16 | 5 | 52 | 16* | 4.72 | 53 | 98.11 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 0.50 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 7* | 5.50 | 10 | 110.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 0.50 | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2020 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 10* | 7.00 | 15 | 93.33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 16* | 12.50 | 25 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 63 | 1428 | 1789 | 63 | 4/27 | 28.39 | 7.52 | 22.66 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 210 | 275 | 8 | 2/16 | 34.37 | 7.85 | 26.25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 294 | 382 | 14 | 3/25 | 27.28 | 7.79 | 21.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 264 | 331 | 13 | 4/27 | 25.46 | 7.52 | 20.30 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 342 | 418 | 15 | 2/28 | 27.86 | 7.33 | 22.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 300 | 350 | 13 | 3/19 | 26.92 | 7.00 | 23.07 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 18 | 33 | 0 | 0/33 | – | 11.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Rahul Chahar
Hailing from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Rahul Chahar emerged from the same cricketing lineage as his more famous cousin, Deepak Chahar. While Deepak swings it upfront, Rahul spins it in the middle, creating a formidable family duo. Rahul’s journey into the IPL began early, making his debut for the Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017 at just 17 years old. Though his first season was brief, it was a taste of the big stage that would soon become his regular haunt.
His breakthrough truly arrived with the Mumbai Indians, who picked him up in the 2018 auction. While he didn’t feature in 2018, the 2019 season saw him become an indispensable cog in MI’s championship-winning machine. Chahar, with his deceptive leg-spin and excellent control, quickly established himself as a wicket-taking option in the crucial middle overs. He wasn’t just containing; he was consistently breaking partnerships, often turning the tide of matches with his subtle variations and well-disguised googlies.
Chahar’s playing style is characterized by his ability to bowl at a decent pace, preventing batsmen from easily stepping out. He relies on flight, dip, and subtle turn, rather than prodigious spin, making him effective even on pitches that aren’t rank turners. His calm demeanor under pressure, particularly in high-stakes games for MI, earned him a reputation as a clutch performer. His spell of 3/19 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019, where he dismantled their middle order, remains a prime example of his match-winning potential.
After a successful stint with Mumbai Indians, where he played a key role in their 2019 and 2020 title wins, Chahar moved to Punjab Kings in 2022. While he continued to pick up wickets, the team’s overall performance and a slight dip in his economy rate meant his impact felt somewhat diminished. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a 3/25 against Chennai Super Kings in 2022, he struggled to consistently replicate his MI form, eventually finding himself unsold in recent auctions, a testament to the ever-evolving demands of the IPL.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Rahul Chahar’s IPL career has seen him don the jerseys of three franchises, each chapter contributing to his growth as a leg-spinner:
- Rising Pune Supergiant (2017): Chahar was bought by RPS for his base price of INR 10 Lakh. He made his debut in the 2017 season, playing just one game where he went wicketless for 33 runs. It was a brief but significant first step into the IPL.
- Mumbai Indians (2018-2021): This was the golden period of Chahar’s IPL career. MI acquired him for INR 1.9 Crore in the 2018 auction. Although he didn’t play in 2018, he became a frontline spinner from 2019, playing a pivotal role in their title victories. He picked up 13 wickets in 2019 (Econ 7.00), 15 wickets in 2020 (Econ 7.33), and 13 wickets in 2021 (Econ 7.52), consistently delivering crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. His partnership with Krunal Pandya formed a potent spin attack for MI.
- Punjab Kings (2022-2023): Following his strong performances for MI, Chahar was a hot commodity in the 2022 mega-auction, where Punjab Kings secured his services for a hefty INR 5.25 Crore. He was expected to lead their spin attack and delivered a decent return of 14 wickets in 2022. However, his economy rate climbed slightly, and in 2023, he managed only 8 wickets in 10 matches, struggling to find consistency. This dip in form and the emergence of other spin options led to him being released and subsequently going unsold in the 2024 and 2025 auctions.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting standpoint, Rahul Chahar offers specific insights for astute punters. His primary strength lies in his ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs (7-15), often breaking crucial partnerships. He’s not a bowler who typically bowls out his quota in the powerplay, making him a strong candidate for “Most Wickets in Middle Overs” prop bets, especially on pitches with some assistance for spinners.
Strengths: Chahar’s control and variations, particularly his googly, make him a genuine wicket-taker. He’s generally effective against right-handed batsmen who might struggle to pick his variations. His career economy rate of 7.52, while not elite, is respectable for a wicket-taking spinner. Look for him to thrive on slightly slower, turning tracks or larger grounds where batsmen are forced to take more risks against him.
Weaknesses: His biggest vulnerability can be on flat, high-scoring pitches where batsmen can target him with aggressive hitting. He can sometimes be predictable if his variations aren’t landing perfectly, leading to expensive overs. Against strong left-handed hitters who can dominate spin, Chahar might struggle to contain runs, making “Over/Under Runs” bets against him risky in such matchups.
Consistency & Conditions: Chahar has shown streaks of brilliance but also periods of inconsistency, especially in his later IPL seasons. When betting on Chahar, always consider the pitch conditions and the opposition’s middle-order strength. He’s a good bet for wicket-taking when the pitch offers even a slight turn, and against teams with a tendency to collapse against spin. Conversely, on batting paradises, his “Total Wickets” might be an ‘under’ bet.
Key Records & Milestones
- Best Bowling Figures: 4/27 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021, a match-winning spell that helped Mumbai Indians defend a modest total.
- Consistent Wicket-Taker: Picked up 13+ wickets in three consecutive IPL seasons (2019, 2020, 2021) for Mumbai Indians, showcasing his reliability.
- Young Debutant: Made his IPL debut at the age of 17 years and 280 days, highlighting his early talent recognition.
- Double IPL Champion: Part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the IPL titles in 2019 and 2020, playing a significant role in both campaigns.
IPL Season Highlights
Rahul Chahar’s most impactful IPL seasons came during his tenure with the Mumbai Indians, where he truly announced himself as a force in T20 cricket.
2019 Season (Mumbai Indians): This was his breakout year. Chahar picked up 13 wickets in 13 matches with an excellent economy of 7.00. His spell of 3/19 against KKR in a crucial league game, where he dismissed Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik, and Shubman Gill, was instrumental in MI’s victory and set the tone for his season. He consistently provided breakthroughs, helping MI clinch their fourth IPL title.
2020 Season (Mumbai Indians): Continuing his fine form, Chahar was vital in MI’s successful title defense. He claimed 15 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.33. His ability to bowl tight overs and pick up wickets in the UAE conditions was crucial. A notable performance was his 2/28 against Delhi Capitals in the league stage, keeping their strong batting lineup in check.
2021 Season (Mumbai Indians): Despite MI not making the playoffs, Chahar had another strong individual season, finishing with 13 wickets from 11 matches. His best performance came against KKR again, where he bagged 4/27, dismantling their top order and showcasing his wicket-taking prowess even when the team struggled. This season solidified his reputation as a genuine match-winner on his day.