HT Brunch Cover Story: Pitch perfect proposal

How Deepak Chahar bowled his maiden over. And Jaya Bhardwaj on being a cricketer’s wife, and all that comes with it

Either pacer Deepak Chahar is putting his best face forward when he talks to us about the injury that has kept him out of the IPL this year—the very year in which he became the highest paid team member of the Chennai Super Kings, and the second highest paid IPL player of all the teams, picked at the players’ auction in February for ₹14 crore. Or, the 29-year-old cricketer is genuinely mature enough to swallow his disappointment at the state of his professional life at this time and look forward to when he’ll be back on the field after healing and rehab.

Cricketer Deepak Chahar staged an epic proposal to Jaya Bhardwaj on 7 October, 2021, after a match against Punjab; Styling by Prasad Bidapa; Hair: Subramanya T; Make-up: Aditi Raman; Jewellery by Amrapali; Wardrobe-in-charge: Albert Devraj; On Jaya: Ghagra by Ravina Belani; On Deepak: Suit by Manoviraj Khosla; Shoes by Sanchita (Asha Thadani)

Deepak and Jaya would never have met if it hadn’t been for Malti, Deepak’s older sister, who met Delhi-based tech entrepreneur Jaya Bhardwaj at a party in Mumbai, in 2020, just before the lockdown; On Jaya: Sari by Ravina Belani; Shoes by Zara; On Deepak: Jacket and pants by Manoviraj Khosla; Shoes by Zara (Asha Thadani)

The couple on what they have in common

It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni who advised Deepak to propose immediately after the match with Punjab and not wait for the ‘perfect moment’

Quick questions with the couple

Jaya says, “As far as being tagged a WAG is concerned, I have my own identity and personality. I have no issue with being referred to as Deepak’s wife as that’s what I am going to be, but my profile doesn’t end there”; On Jaya: Jumpsuit by Manoviraj Khosla; Shoes by Zara; On Deepak: Khadi suit by Abrar Ali; Sandals by Birkenstock (Asha Thadani)

Indian cricketers and their romantic proposals

Deepak and Jaya have planned a wedding after the IPL in Agra—Deepak’s home; On Jaya: Sequinned dress by Ravina Belani; On Deepak: Bandhgala by Manoviraj Khosla (Asha Thadani)