South Africa pace legend Dale Steyn has heaped praise on Tushar Deshpande after the Rajasthan Royals speedster produced a match-turning spell in the closing phase to help his side edge Gujarat Titans by six runs in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Steyn singled out Deshpande’s composure and the accuracy of his yorkers in the final over, suggesting the young bowler’s impact is the kind that can quickly bring him to the attention of India’s selectors.
Deshpande’s moment of glory came during Gujarat’s chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where Rajasthan required him to defend a modest total in the last over. He managed the pressure masterfully, conceding only four runs as he delivered a series of yorkers that kept the batters scrambling for room. Along the way, he also removed Rashid Khan, and that key wicket swung the contest decisively—Gujarat ended up six runs short of the target.
With the win, Rajasthan moved to the summit of the table following their second straight victory, and Steyn was particularly struck by the calmness Deshpande showed when the game was in its most delicate stage.
“The final over bowled by Tushar Deshpande was exceptional. He executed his yorkers perfectly under pressure and didn’t give any opportunities to a player like Rashid Khan to go after the boundary. He made sure his side didn’t face any hiccups in the final over of a chase of more than 200,” Steyn said.
Steyn also explained why that level of control is so hard to replicate. “It is very difficult for a bowler to stay calm in such a high-pressure situation because a lot of things run through your mind. But to ensure your plans are carried out precisely without getting affected by the pressure is a rare skill,” he added.
Beyond the yorkers, Steyn pointed to Deshpande’s tactical thinking, especially the way he varied his approach to unsettle Rashid. “Tushar bowled four inch-perfect yorkers, then shifted his line and followed it up with a length ball. By doing that, he tempted Rashid Khan into going for a big shot, and Rashid ended up getting caught on the boundary line. It was a brilliant example of game awareness,” Steyn said.
For Steyn, the spell is more than just a single standout performance—it is also the sort of showing that can put a player squarely in the conversation for selection at the national level. He said the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will be watching Deshpande closely as the season progresses. “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,” Steyn remarked.
Deshpande was acquired by Rajasthan for INR 6.50 crore, and he has grown into a crucial part of their bowling unit. His rise has been built on earlier success as one of the leading wicket-takers, which eventually led to a call-up to the India squad in 2024 for a T20I series against Zimbabwe, even though he did not get a chance to play in a match.
