One of Mumbai Indians' newly-recruited seamers Deepak Chahar acknowledged that he will miss under MS Dhoni, having played with the legendary keeper-batter for Chennai Super Kings since a long time. However, he right-arm seamer said he is looking forward to bowling in the seam-friendly conditions at the Wankhede Stadium.
Chahar started his IPL career with the Super Kings in 2018 and has been part of three title wins for the franchise, including that year itself before emerging victorious again in 2021 and 2023. The 32-year-old has taken 76 wickets in as many matches for the Super Kings at 27.71.
Speaking to Suresh Raina in a video call amid the auction on Monday, Deepak revealed his conversation while speaking to his cousin Rahul Chahar:
"Jab Rahul se baat hoti thi, main bolta tha jis team se mujhe khelna chahiye, us team se tu khel raha hai, skill wise. Chennai mein spin ko help milti hai aur Mumbai mein fast bowlers ko milti hai. Woh Chennai mein aa nahin paaya, par main Mumbai mein chala gaya. Mumbai mein thoda seaming track hai aur jab jab khela hoon vahan accha kiya hai. Hoepfully aagey khelunga toh accha karun."
(When I used to speak to Rahul, I used to say you are playing for the team that I should've been, skill wise. Spinners get more help in Chennai and fast bowlers do in Mumbai. Rahul couldn't come to Chennai, but I'm in Mumbai now. I remember doing well in Mumbai whenever I've played and hopefully I can continue that.)
When asked by Suresh Raina, if he will miss MS Dhoni, the 32-year-old said:
Kaun nahin miss karega yaar (Who wouldn't?)
"He’s been with Chennai for so many years and we have seen the quality" - Mahela Jayawardene on Deepak Chahar
Mumbai Indians' head coach Mahela Jayawardene opined that Chahar will enjoy bowling at the Wankhede and that he fit the bill for them, given his experience. The ex-Sri Lankan skipper said, as quoted by the official website:
"He comes to Wankhede and takes wickets for fun. He is an experienced bowler. He’s been with Chennai for so many years and we have seen the quality. We wanted to go to an experienced Indian bowling option which we’ve never had in the past, so that gives us a combination change. Deepak fitted the bill. That was the change we wanted to do this year because it gives us a foreign spinner to play."
