Tushar Deshpande’s performance shakes India selection radar as Dale Steyn issues bold verdict: BCCI won't look away

Tushar Deshpande grabbed the spotlight by successfully defending 11 runs in the final over of Gujarat’s chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium

Updated on: Apr 5, 2026, 15:04:40 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

South Africa pace great Dale Steyn was full of praise for Tushar Deshpande after his exceptional death-over bowling helped Rajasthan Royals secure a thrilling six-run win against Gujarat Titans on Saturday in Ahmedabad. Steyn said Deshpande’s composure and precise execution of yorkers in the final over should firmly put him on the radar of India’s selectors.

Rajasthan Royals' Tushar Deshpande celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan (REUTERS)

Deshpande grabbed the spotlight by successfully defending 11 runs in the final over of Gujarat’s chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Delivering inch-perfect yorkers, he conceded just four runs and picked up the crucial wicket of Rashid Khan, leaving the hosts six runs short. The win took Rajasthan to the top of the table with their second consecutive victory.

Steyn was particularly impressed by Deshpande’s calmness and clarity under pressure.

SRH vs LSG LIVE Score, IPL 2026

“The final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande was exceptional. He executed his yorkers perfectly under pressure and did not give any chances to a player like Rashid Khan to find the boundary. He ensured his team did not suffer any hiccups in the final over of a 200-plus chase,” Steyn told Star Sports.

“It is very difficult for a bowler to stay calm in such a high-pressure situation because a lot of things go through your mind. But to ensure your plans are executed perfectly without feeling the pressure is a rare skill,” he added.

The former South Africa quick also highlighted Deshpande’s tactical awareness, noting how he mixed his lengths to outfox Rashid.

“Tushar bowled four inch-perfect yorkers, then changed his line and delivered a length ball. By doing that, he baited Rashid Khan into going for a big shot, and he ended up getting caught on the boundary line. It was a wonderful display of game awareness.”

Steyn believes the performance has pushed Deshpande firmly into contention for national selection, adding that the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will be tracking him closely through the season.

“Tushar Deshpande bowled in a fearless manner, and this performance will ensure that the Indian selectors don’t take their eyes off him this IPL season,” he said.

Bought for INR 6.50 crore, Deshpande has established himself as a key bowler for Rajasthan, building on his previous success as a leading wicket-taker that earned him a call-up to the Indian team in 2024 for a T20I series against Zimbabwe, although he did not feature in a match.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.