IPL 2025: Deepak Chahar Emphasizes Team Unity for MI's Success
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Synopsis
Deepak Chahar emphasized the necessity for collective performances among the Mumbai Indians to secure decisive victories in IPL 2025, acknowledging their current struggles and the potential for improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Team unity is crucial for MI's success.
- Two of their four losses were by 12 runs.
- Collective performances can lead to big wins.
- Jasprit Bumrah's return adds strength to the team.
- The scouting team has unearthed promising talents.
New Delhi, April 12 (NationPress) The Mumbai Indians have faced challenges in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, with two of their four losses occurring by just 12 runs, highlighting that only two sixes separated them from victory as they aim for their sixth title. Fast-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar acknowledged that the team has not yet reached its full potential and believes that a unified performance is essential for achieving significant wins.
In the current IPL season, the Mumbai Indians have lived up to their reputation as slow starters, managing to secure only one win out of five matches, placing them in eighth position on the points table. The squad, led by Hardik Pandya, is eager to revive their campaign by halting the Delhi Capitals’ unbeaten streak at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday evening.
“It’s been a while since I transitioned from one major franchise to another (CSK to MI), and I see many similarities, particularly in the mindset of winning matches. It's crucial not to panic after a few ups and downs; belief in our ability to win the tournament remains key,” Chahar stated.
“Both teams have succeeded in the IPL because self-belief is vital. Despite a few losses here and there, it’s essential to regroup, as the tournament is just beginning with some teams performing well while others are finding their footing.”
“In our last five matches, we performed well, but the outcomes were decided by one or two key moments. We haven’t lost by significant margins or had any players underperforming drastically. Every player has contributed, and individual performances have been commendable,” he continued.
“However, achieving a strong collective performance will enable us to secure wins by larger margins, showcasing our team’s potential. Luck plays a role in sports; a few missed shots can determine the result,” he added.
“For instance, if our shots had connected, we would have clinched victory. We only lost by two hits in the last match, and I believe we played well. Results will come, and as a unit, we are progressing positively,” Chahar remarked during the pre-match press conference.
In their narrow 12-run defeat against RCB, a silver lining for MI was the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who made an impressive comeback to competitive cricket after five months with an economical spell of 0-29 in four overs. Chahar praised Bumrah for his remarkable performance after a long absence, noting his execution of yorkers as exemplary.
“Bumrah is exceptionally strong-willed. His performance in the first match after five months demonstrated his class. His bowling had a significant impact; without him, we could have conceded an additional 20-25 runs. His bowling quality shaped that game,” he emphasized.
“As a bowler, I understand the challenge of returning to play after a long hiatus. The yorker is the hardest delivery to bowl after a break. While you can manage good-length balls or bouncers, executing a yorker requires confidence in your abilities. Bumrah’s first match showcased his skill and confidence in bowling yorkers,” he added.
There was intrigue when Bumrah didn’t take the new ball, but Chahar explained that such decisions are made by the team’s leadership based on matchups. “Every bowler has experience with the new ball, and team strategy dictates who bowls with it during matches,” he stated.
The current season has also revealed talents like leg-spinner Vignesh Puthur and left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar, thanks to the diligent efforts of the scouting team during the off-season. Chahar commended the scouting team’s excellent work, expressing his enjoyment of working with younger players.
“Mumbai has always cultivated talent effectively. Each year, they build a strong team by selecting promising domestic players. Their scouting team is outstanding, conducting camps and matches year-round,” he noted.
“Many big names in the Indian team emerged from Mumbai's scouting efforts, such as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Krunal Pandya. These players were relatively unknown before being transformed into superstars,” he concluded. “MI’s knack for discovering talent is like finding diamonds among stones. Over the past decade since the IPL began, this foundation has been established, and it’s a pleasure to learn from the younger players in the team.”
