Paras Mhambrey Defends Deepak Chahar After Mumbai Indians’ Fielding Woes

Standing by the Players Amidst a Difficult Season

The Mumbai Indians (MI) campaign for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) reached a premature conclusion on May 8. With four matches still remaining in the league stage and three weeks left on the calendar, the prospect of traveling across the country for games with no playoff implications presents a psychological challenge for any professional squad. However, for MI assistant coach Paras Mhambrey, the motivation remains clear: every time the team steps onto the pitch, it is an opportunity to play 40 hours of quality cricket.

Following a tough loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—the team’s ninth defeat in 13 outings—Mhambrey addressed the media with a sense of perspective. He emphasized that the preparation remains focused on winning and learning, rather than dwelling on the disappointment of the season’s table standings.

The Challenge of Fielding: Under the Microscope

Fielding has been a significant point of contention for Mumbai Indians this year, and the spotlight turned firmly on Deepak Chahar during the KKR match. Chahar found himself involved in two high-profile missed catches that left fans and analysts questioning the team’s composure under pressure.

The first incident occurred in the tenth over during KKR’s chase. A top-edged pull from Rovman Powell created confusion between Chahar at deep fine-leg and Robin Minz at deep square-leg. Despite Chahar appearing to be in a superior position to claim the catch, a lack of communication led to the ball landing safely between them. Later, in the 18th over, a scoop from Tejasvi Dahiya caused another lapse. Both Chahar and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton converged on the ball, narrowly avoiding a collision, but ultimately failing to secure the catch.

Mhambrey Refuses to Assign Blame

Addressing the media regarding these lapses, Mhambrey was unequivocal in his support for his player. He refused to lay the blame on Chahar, highlighting the chaotic nature of the game. “No one does it on purpose. You drop catches. It just happens, it is part of the game,” Mhambrey stated. He emphasized that dwelling on errors is not the coaching staff’s approach, noting that players like Corbin Bosch have provided brilliant moments in the field, which serve to balance the team’s overall performance.

Mhambrey further explained the psychological pressure a player faces during a high-stakes match. “There are too many things happening. You are constantly thinking about how you can make a difference in your next over. That leads to lapses in concentration. I would not put Deepak under the train here, definitely not.”

Statistical Context and Future Outlook

While the focus has been on MI’s recent fielding errors, statistical data suggests that Mumbai Indians are not the worst offenders in the league. According to ball-by-ball analysis, MI has dropped 14 catches throughout the season. When compared to other franchises, they rank as the fourth-most efficient team in terms of catching, whereas teams like the Punjab Kings have recorded as many as 19 drops.

As the team returns to the Wankhede Stadium for their final fixture against the Rajasthan Royals, the goal remains consistency. Mhambrey believes that returning to home turf provides a comfortable environment to finish the season on a high note. “You need to find a way to win. It is like a home game for us. We know the surface well,” he concluded. Despite the disappointment of the playoff elimination, the message from the Mumbai Indians’ camp is one of resilience, unity, and a commitment to maintaining professional standards until the final ball is bowled.