Mhambrey Defends Deepak Chahar After Mumbai Indians’ Fielding Woes
Standing Firm Amidst a Difficult Campaign
The Mumbai Indians (MI) campaign for the IPL 2026 season reached a somber conclusion on May 8, as the team was officially knocked out of the playoffs race. With several league-stage matches still on the calendar, the remaining weeks present a unique psychological challenge. Dragging oneself across the country to compete in venues with no mathematical chance of progression is a test of character for any professional outfit. However, for MI assistant coach Paras Mhambrey, the motivation remains clear: the pursuit of excellence through ’40 hours of quality cricket’.
Focusing on the Process
Despite the disappointment of securing only four wins in thirteen outings, the coaching staff refuses to let standards slip. ‘Our preparation is simple: look at winning the games,’ Mhambrey stated following the recent loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). ‘We want to look back and say: how do you work around constructing a team, what are the things that we need to learn from this game and take it to the next game?’ For Mhambrey, the focus remains entirely on controllable factors, leaving the league table standings to others.
The Fielding Spotlight: Analyzing the Lapses
Fielding has been a significant narrative throughout the tournament, and unfortunately for Deepak Chahar, he found himself at the center of two high-profile catching incidents during the match against KKR. The first incident occurred in the tenth over when a top-edged pull from Rovman Powell created confusion between Chahar and Robin Minz. Despite Chahar being in a better position, a lack of communication saw the ball land safely between them.
The second incident in the 18th over proved equally frustrating, as Chahar and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton narrowly avoided a mid-air collision while tracking a scoop from Tejasvi Dahiya. While these moments were critical, Mhambrey was quick to temper the criticism directed at his player.
Refusing to Point Fingers
‘No one does it on purpose. You drop catches. It just happens, it is part of the game,’ Mhambrey emphasized. He noted that while hindsight makes these errors look costly—potentially adding 15 to 20 runs to the opposition’s total—blame is counter-productive. He pointed to the brilliant catch taken by Corbin Bosch earlier in the same match as evidence that the team is capable of high-level fielding efforts. Mhambrey firmly stated: ‘I am not going to blame anyone out here. I would not put Deepak under the train, definitely not.’
Contextualizing the Statistics
Critics of Mumbai Indians’ fielding might find some perspective in the broader league data. According to ball-by-ball analysis, MI is actually the fourth-most efficient team in the league when it comes to holding onto catches. With 14 drops on the season, they sit favorably compared to teams like the Punjab Kings, who have struggled with 19 dropped chances. This statistical context underscores that while the errors are visible and unfortunate, they are not necessarily indicative of a systemic failure.
Looking Ahead to Wankhede
As the team prepares to return to the Wankhede Stadium for their final fixture against the Rajasthan Royals, the mindset is one of professional pride. Mhambrey highlighted the importance of finishing strong, noting that the familiarity of their home surface and the specific challenges of an afternoon fixture provide a final opportunity for the squad to refine their approach. ‘You need to find a way to win,’ he concluded, reinforcing that despite the season’s outcome, the commitment to playing quality cricket remains the absolute priority for everyone involved in the Mumbai Indians setup.
