Paras Mhambrey Defends Deepak Chahar After Mumbai Indians’ Fielding Woes
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Standing by the Team Amidst Challenges
The Mumbai Indians (MI) campaign in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) came to a premature end on May 8, as the team officially fell out of contention for the playoffs. With four matches still remaining in the league stage, the squad faces the difficult task of maintaining intensity despite having nothing tangible to gain from the remaining fixtures. However, for MI assistant coach Paras Mhambrey, the motivation remains clear: the commitment to playing high-quality cricket remains a non-negotiable standard for both the staff and the players.
Following a loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—the team’s ninth defeat in 13 matches—Mhambrey addressed the media with a firm focus on the future. He noted that the preparation process remains unchanged, with the primary objective being to secure victories in every individual game. The coaching staff is currently focused on dissecting performance data to understand how they can better construct their winning strategy for the next encounter.
The Fielding Spotlight
One of the recurring themes for Mumbai Indians this season has been inconsistent fielding, an issue that was once again under the microscope during the clash against KKR. Deepak Chahar found himself at the center of two high-profile incidents involving dropped catches. The first occurred in the tenth over of the KKR chase 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 resulted in the ball dropping safely between them.
The second incident took place in the 18th over, involving a scoop from Tejasvi Dahiya. This time, both Ryan Rickelton and Chahar tracked the ball, nearly colliding in the process. The result was another missed opportunity, leaving Chahar looking visibly sheepish on the field.
A Philosophy of Support
Despite the frustration these moments cause, Paras Mhambrey was quick to deflect any criticism directed at his player. He emphasized that errors in the field are a natural part of the game and that no player intentionally misses a catch. “No one does it on purpose. You drop catches. It just happens, part of the game,” Mhambrey stated during the post-match interaction.
Mhambrey further added, “I’m not going to blame anyone out here. If you look at Corbin [Bosch], he took a brilliant catch at point to send back Powell. So you compensate for that.” By looking at the broader picture, the assistant coach highlighted the need for balance when assessing individual performances.
Statistical Context
Interestingly, the narrative that Mumbai Indians have been exceptionally poor in the field is not fully supported by the statistics. Data indicates that MI have dropped 14 catches throughout the current season. While this is certainly an area for improvement, they rank as the fourth-most-efficient fielding side among the ten competing teams. In comparison, other franchises have recorded higher numbers of drops, with some teams reaching as many as 19, suggesting that fielding struggles are a widespread challenge across the league this year.
Looking Toward the Future
Regarding the psychological impact on players like Chahar, Mhambrey offered a sympathetic perspective. He noted that players are often balancing multiple thoughts during a match—focusing on their own contribution, reading the game situation, and trying to make an impact in the limited overs remaining. “I would not blame, put Deepak under the train out here, definitely not,” Mhambrey affirmed, underscoring his role as a supportive mentor rather than a harsh critic.
As the Mumbai Indians return to the Wankhede Stadium to conclude their season against the Rajasthan Royals, the focus shifts toward providing a strong performance for their home crowd. Mhambrey believes that familiarity with the surface and the specific dynamics of an afternoon start will offer a different set of challenges and opportunities. For the Mumbai Indians, the goal is to finish the season with dignity, treating every remaining ball as an opportunity to demonstrate the quality they are capable of producing.
