“Were 10-15 runs short”: Deepak Chahar reacts to Mumbai Indians’ 6-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals

Mumbai Indians fast bowler Deepak Chahar reacted to the 6-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the second match of IPL 2026. Chahar admitted that Mumbai Indians (MI)’s score of 162/6, which they made in 20 overs, was 10-15 runs less in that match. Delhi Capitals achieved this target with 11 balls remaining, in which Sameer Rizvi’s brilliant inning of 90 runs on 51 balls played an important role.

In the post match press conference, Deepak Chahar said that there was a little moisture in the wicket and the pitch played a little slow, which makes the toss important for the match. He felt that this caused Mumbai Indians to score 10-15 runs less.

“I think the wicket was a little slow. The toss was very important. I was feeling a little damp. I wouldn’t say the pitch was slow, just I was feeling damp. The toss was very important in this case, so we were 10-15 runs short,” Chahar said.

Mumbai Indians were also missing their regular captain Hardik Pandey as he was ill. When asked about Pandey’s absence from playing, Chahar admitted that his absence was detrimental to the team. He said that defending 160 during the day was challenging and there was a need to take regular wickets. Especially the brilliant innings of Sameer Rizvi changed the course of the match. Chahar said, “Yes, of course. He was ill, so he could not play. Hopefully he will play in the next match. Yes, we were short, because defending 160 is a bit difficult during the day. And to defend 160, you have to take wickets continuously. Rizvi played very well. If we had got him out early, the match would have been very interesting till the end.”

Rizvi had also scored 70* runs in 47 balls against Lucknow Super Giants in the first match. Chahar praised Rizvi’s ability, saying, “He always had the ability, and now with experience he has become better. What I have seen in the IPL is that confidence is the key to success, because every player who is selected in the IPL has the ability. Now I think he has become confident; you can see that by scoring runs consistently. It is a lesson for everyone that ability does not matter, confidence matters.”

Delhi Capitals lost early wickets while chasing the target of 163 runs, but a 66-run partnership between Pathum Nissanka (44) and Rizvi gave the team a comeback. Rizvi again played a brilliant innings, scoring 90 runs in 51 balls and forming a match-winning partnership with David Miller.

Batting first, Mumbai Indians scored 162 runs, in which Suryakumar Yadav contributed 51 runs and Rohit Sharma contributed 35 runs. Mukesh Kumar bowled brilliantly for Delhi Capitals and took important wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Verma. Rizvi received the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his excellent performance.

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