Paras Mhambrey Defends Deepak Chahar Amidst Mumbai Indians’ Fielding Struggles

Moving Forward: The Mumbai Indians Mentality

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has been one of profound disappointment for the Mumbai Indians (MI). With the team officially knocked out of the playoff race on May 8, the focus has shifted from high-stakes competition to professional pride and future planning. Despite having four matches left in the league stage and three weeks remaining in the tournament, the coaching staff remains committed to maintaining high standards.

Paras Mhambrey, the assistant coach for Mumbai Indians, maintains that motivation is not an issue. According to Mhambrey, the goal for every remaining fixture is to play ‘quality 40 hours of cricket.’ For the coaching staff and the players, the motivation lies in the process of building a winning culture, even when the points table no longer offers a path to the playoffs.

The Focus on Process Over Results

Speaking after the team’s ninth loss in 13 games—a defeat at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—Mhambrey reflected on the team’s tactical approach. ‘Our preparation is simple: look at winning the games,’ he stated. ‘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, which allows us to win a game?’

Mhambrey acknowledged that while a victory against KKR could have significantly altered the momentum of the tournament, the team is forced to focus strictly on what is within their control. ‘We can only control what we can control. And what we can control is going out there and playing quality 40 hours of cricket and winning the game and leave the results or the positions in the table for someone else to look into,’ he added.

Addressing the Fielding Issues

Fielding has been a recurring point of contention for Mumbai Indians throughout the season, and the recent match against KKR placed this under the spotlight once more. Deepak Chahar, the bowler-turned-fielder, found himself at the center of two notable incidents.

The first occurred in the tenth over when a top-edged pull from Rovman Powell created confusion in the deep. With both Chahar and Robin Minz converging on the ball, a lack of communication led to the ball dropping safely between them. Later, in the 18th over, a scoop shot from Tejasvi Dahiya led to a second near-miss, with Chahar and keeper Ryan Rickelton nearly colliding as they attempted to make the play.

Despite the frustration these lapses caused, Mhambrey was quick to defend his player. ‘No one does it on purpose. You drop catches. It just happens, part of the game,’ he explained. He further noted that dwelling on these individual moments is counterproductive. ‘I’m not going to blame anyone out here. If you look at Corbin [Bosch], he took a brilliant catch. So you compensate it for that, right?’

Statistics and Perspective

While the focus on MI’s fielding has been intense, data suggests that the team is not the worst offender in the league. According to ball-by-ball analysis, Mumbai Indians have dropped 14 catches this season. In comparison, teams like the Punjab Kings have struggled more, with 19 drops. MI currently ranks as the fourth-most-efficient fielding side in the ten-team league.

Mhambrey emphasized the complexity of fielding under pressure, noting that players often have their minds on multiple aspects of the game simultaneously. Regarding Chahar, he was firm in his stance: ‘I would not blame, put Deepak under the train out here, definitely not.’ The coach highlighted that such pressure-filled moments are part of the learning curve for any professional cricketer.

Looking Toward the Future

As the campaign draws to a close, Mumbai Indians return to the Wankhede Stadium to face the Rajasthan Royals. For Mhambrey, this game represents a chance to utilize home-ground knowledge and finish the season on a positive note. ‘You need to find a way to win. It’s like a home game for us. So we know the surface as well,’ he noted, adding that the afternoon conditions will provide a unique challenge for both sides. As the team prepares for their final outings, the message from the coaching staff remains clear: consistency, learning, and mutual support are the pillars upon which they hope to rebuild.