Why did Deepak Chahar miss MI vs KKR clash in IPL 2026?
Deepak Chahar was bought by Mumbai Indians at 9.25 Crore during IPL 2025 auction.
Mumbai Indians (MI) are all set to kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, as they hope to finally end their search for the sixth title this season. Entering the competition as arguably the most well-balanced unit this year, MI will fancy their chances to lift the cup.
Against them for the opening clash will be Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team they have historically enjoyed tremendous success. At Wankhede, chasing is always the best option and Hardik Pandya won the first mini-battle as he chose to field after winning the toss.
MI‘s bowling unit was in focus up front, with possibly captain Pandya to take the new ball alongside the Kiwi great Trent Boult. Shardul Thakur, after being traded from LSG, and Allah Ghazanfar made their IPL debut.
The big news though is the absence of Deepak Chahar from the team, which raised questions over his potential fitness given his injury worries over the years.
Why did Deepak Chahar miss MI vs KKR match in IPL 2026?
At the toss, both captains admitted to be shocked by the unusually high number of grass cover at the pitch. This generally assists the pacers, and bowlers like Deepak Chahar would have been licking their lips to bowl on such pitches.
However he has now been dropped, with Shardul Thakur taking his place instead, and giving MI additional batting depth. Chahar has struggled with injuries over the years, but no such injury has been reported leading to this contest.
Playing his first season for MI last year, Chahar did not justify his price tag, as he managed to pick only 11 wickets in the 14 matches he played. This might have forced MI to go for Thakur before the auction, and they have now played the all-rounder ahead of Chahar in their first match against KKR.
Why did Deepak Chahar miss MI vs KKR match in IPL 2026?
Deepak Chahar was dropped with MI giving nod ahead to Shardul Thakur.
What is the venue of MI vs KKR clash?
The venue of the encounter is Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.