Indian international cricketer Deepak Chahar speaks on IPL, Chennai Super King, DNINE Sports and TFG
In the world of cricket, every player has a unique story that defines their path to success. For Deepak Chahar, Indian International Cricketer and Face of DNINE Sports, his narrative goes above the boundaries of the pitch, extending into the lands on entrepreneurship and innovation.
His passion for cricket has been since his childhood. His dad, being the north star, supported him throughout and motivated him to convert his passion into profession.
Deepak Chahar, Indian Cricketer, and face of Dnine Sports says, “For me, it wasn’t just a sport; it was a passion, a dream that was nurtured from a young age by none other than my father. He saw something in me, something I couldn’t quite grasp back then. It was his belief in my potential that ignited the fire within me to pursue cricket seriously, despite my academic struggles.”
He believes in the motto “Go all In” as in life, whether it’s pursuing a career or chasing a dream, hesitation can hold us back. His father taught him to become truly successful, one must dedicate themselves fully, without holding back avoiding distractions or half-hearted efforts.
When pursuing our dreams and passions, we should be willing to invest time and effort to build a foundation for our future.
-Deepak Chahar
Marriage marked a turning point in his life. With his wife’s unwavering support, hailing from a business background, he pursued his dream of venturing into the sports business and he started Dnine.
Deepak Chahar’s Cricket Quest
Deepak Chahar, the Agra boy whose cricket journey kicked off when he was just 12 years old. Growing up in the era of Sachin Tendulkar, he was inspired to pick up the bat and ball and chase his dreams on the field. Today he is one of the popular ones in the cricket landscape.
He played for IPL from Chennai Super King (CSK) for the past IPL seasons, have played in ODI T20 matches including regional domestic matches.
As the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has kickedoff, Deepak Chahar, a pivotal member of the CSK team, is geared up to make his mark once again.
Reflecting on their preparation for the IPL 2024 season, Chahar shares, “Our journey for IPL 2024 began back in January with our camp starting on the very first day. At CSK, we have a tradition of starting early, which allows us to train at the stadium where we’ll be playing most of our matches. This familiarity with the pitch and surroundings is priceless, helping us understand the conditions better and strengthen our team bond.”
As the team delves into their camp activities, they are eagerly anticipating the challenges and opportunities that the upcoming season will bring.
He also expressed his desire to continue playing for CSK for as long as possible, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the IPL auction process. While he understands that player allocations are not solely determined by the players themselves, his loyalty and commitment to the team remain unwavering.
“CSK holds a special place in my heart, and I’ve always aspired to represent them in the IPL. I hope to continue playing for CSK, I understand that circumstances can change, and I may end up with another team. It’s a part of the dynamic nature of professional cricket and the IPL auction system.”
He is an explorer when it comes to cricket. His goal is to shape his own identity and make a name for himself through his unique contributions and achievements.
Deepak says, “I envisioned myself as a versatile player, not limited to just one aspect of the game. I aimed to be a bowler who could also contribute significantly with the bat, adding value to the team’s success in multiple ways. This desire for versatility extended beyond cricket into entrepreneurship, where I sought to innovate and create my own legacy.”
Beyond the cricket pitch
Deepak is actively exploring his entrepreneurial skills in September 2023, he introduced his Made in India sports brand, DNINE Sports.
When he started playing it was a struggle for him to afford top-notch gear and thus relied on economical options, which was the reason for his injuries. This inspired him to create a brand like DNINE Sports, offering high-quality cricket shoes at an affordable price.
DNINE aimed to provide technically superior shoes that players could trust, while ensuring affordability. They introduced a warranty policy and a three-month replacement policy for broken shoes, recognizing the financial constraints many players face.
They also ventured into health supplements, focusing on preventive measures and trustworthy products to support athletes’ well-being.
The brand has gained recognition, as evidenced by players in tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy endorsing DNINE Sports products, especially their cricket shoes.
Positive feedback from athletes has been substantial, with more than 50 players choosing DNINE shoes just last season. Such endorsement from experienced players underscores the quality and performance of our products.
“We prioritize feedback from users, constantly refining our products based on their experiences. As we gear up for the IPL season, we’ve made improvements to our cricket shoes based on this feedback, ensuring that players have access to the best gear possible.”
Deepak Chahar role in the company is of an athlete and product tester, while his father oversees business operations, including sales and management. His wife Jaya handles marketing and collaborates with the team.
“When it comes to making decisions about the business’s direction, my father and I discuss and strategize together. However, due to my cricket commitments, I’m not directly involved in day-to-day operations but allocate time to stay updated and contribute where I can.”
Like any other entrepreneur Deepak is also facing challenges and converting it into strength. In maintaining high quality standards for their products, implementing customer feedback, establishing a strong presence in the sports industry, and navigating regulatory changes.
“In navigating the DNINE journey, our most pressing challenge lies not just in timelines but in breaking free from the comfort of the status quo. In India, there’s a prevalent hesitancy towards embracing new challenges and innovative approaches. While vendors may pledge timely deliveries, the reality often deviates, stretching our product development cycle making it challenging to meet deadlines.”
They are focusing on fostering a culture of experimentation and agility, streamlining processes, and building stronger relationships with vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials and components.
I firmly believe that success doesn’t come overnight. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to dedicate oneself fully to the task at hand.
-Deepak Chahar
They are committed to listening to customers and making necessary adjustments to enhance their experience with their brand. Despite these challenges, they remain optimistic about the future of DNINE.
What’s going on with Trade Fantasy Game?
Deepak has also launched Trade Fantasy Game (TFG) along with his wife Jaya in March 2023 and it had a rocky first year. He said that the introduction of GST initially faced challenges on the Trade Fantasy Game (TFG) front, but Deepak Chahar believes the initial setback he faced is temporary and it will resolve soon.
Deepak says, “The attraction of fantasy sports is strong. The potential to win big prizes through skillful play continues to attract players, and we’ve seen a significant increase in user base, as evidenced by recent reports.We’re well-prepared for this IPL season, with plans to have more players endorsing our brand and exciting contests lined up.”
They are planning to introduce new game features for TFG where a smaller team of six players, reducing the number of selections to six, allowing players with deeper knowledge to have a better chance of success.
“In my recent conversation with a distinguished cricket commentator renowned for his insightful analysis, Aakash Chopra, we concurred that limiting selections to just six players amplify the significance of skill and strategy. This not only elevates the game’s excitement but also enriches the experience, making it more captivating and rewarding for participants,” Deepak says.
This approach enhances the role of skill and strategy, offering a more engaging and rewarding experience for participants. The aim is to provide cricket fans with innovative ways to interact with the sport whether during the IPL season or beyond.
Additionally, apart from fantasy sports, they are planning to launch a mobile game under the TFG banner, to provide entertainment during downtime between matches or beyond the IPL season.
“This expansion aligns with our vision of bringing innovative gaming experiences to users while maintaining a clear distinction between our sports and tech ventures,” Deepak says.
He believes DNINE is deliberately proceeding at a slower pace, and its avoiding pressure to upscale too quickly whereas TFG, being a tech business, requires a different approach.
Deepak adds, “TFG may need to raise funds to scale up operations, hire more staff, and promote the brand effectively. This is essential for expanding our gaming model and introducing new games to a wider audience.”
TFG may use fundraising for growth, while DNINE will continue its steady progress without external investment, as both ventures have distinct goals and strategies.
Embodying a relentless pursuit of excellence, Deepak Chahar stands not just as an International Indian cricketer but also as a beacon of dedication and growth. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of continuous learning and self-improvement. With a ten-year vision shaping his path, Deepak exemplifies the blend of passion, patience, and perseverance required to master both the game of cricket and the world of entrepreneurship.
Deepak Chahar reminds us of all that true leadership lies in the commitment to constant growth, echoing the sentiment that greatness is not achieved overnight but through consistent effort and unwavering determination.
As IPL 2024 is starting today we wish Deepak Chahar good luck and will say ‘Go all In!’
