Indian leg spinner Rahul Chahar has revealed that Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rajat Patidar is one of the toughest batsmen he has ever faced. Speaking in an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Chahar admitted that bowling to an IPL-winning captain like Patidar is a constant challenge. Against the current RCB skipper in the T20s, the leggie bowled 15 balls, conceded 34 runs and got the better of him twice. He further revealed two more names in front of whom it is a challenge for him to bowl.
After initially going unsold, this young player was recently picked up by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 5.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. The leg spinner, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the auction, now has a chance to revive his IPL career with the five-time champions.
During the conversation, Chahar also told an interesting story related to his brother Deepak Chahar. He shared how the siblings would often compete fiercely in their early days, pushing each other to do better and will now once again be a part of the Mumbai-Chennai rivalry. It is noteworthy that both the brothers were part of a big rivalry a few years ago, when Deepak was a part of the CSK camp and Rahul was playing for the Mumbai team. On the subject of leg spinners in India's T20I setup, Chahar wondered whether wrist spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi and himself are in demand.
Some excerpts:
Who is the toughest batsman to bowl to and why?
As a spinner, I think Nicholas Pooran, Heinrich Klaasen and, I think Rajat Patidar. He plays spinners very well. When he hits, he hits everywhere. It is difficult to bowl to him.
What is the interesting story between you and your brother Deepak Chahar that you would like to share?
There was one. Like, I got out on his ball in the final of IPL 2019. So he was teasing me a lot after coming out. So I told him that if I take you out, I will trouble you a lot. So, in 2020, I cut him out. I didn't say anything but, after that I teased her a lot. I always remember that. I said- Brother, if I throw you out once, I will take revenge.
Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Rahul Chahar – do you think the demand for leg spinners is gradually diminishing in India's T20I setup?
I think, yes, that gap is closing a little bit now. It is no longer just about leg spinners or the need for any specific type of spinner. Be it a left-arm spinner, right-arm spinner, or fast spinner, variety matters most. These days, wrist spinners alone cannot provide variety; There are many off spinners who also bowl carrom ball. This has become very important. Ultimately the aim is to save runs and there has to be variety. When batsmen line up to stock deliveries, bowlers need options. So now, whether you are a wrist spinner or a finger spinner, it doesn't really matter.
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