New Delhi: Mumbai Indians seamer Deepak Chahar is battling to make himself fit and available for selection in their IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The winner of the match progresses to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium and could be without Chahar, who picked up a niggle in MI’s last league game on May 26, against PBKS.
The seamer has to leave the field after bowling only an over before he returned tow bowl two more overs and missed the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans, which MI won by 20 runs.
Mumbai are five-time champions of the IPL, the joint most with Chennai Super Kings, and are looking for their sixth title.
Chahar and Reece Topley were the only Mumbai players who went to the Narendra Modi Stadium ground for tune-up on Saturday, reports ESPNCricinfo.
The right armer had his left knee padded and took careful steps on the ground not to aggravate his injury but didn’t seem to be in any kind of discomfort while walking.
A call on his availability would only be taken before the commencement of the match as Chahar reportedly didn’t feel any pain on the match eve.
Mumbai began their campaign with only a win in four matches but since then have turned it around in the second half of the season and clinch the fourth and last spot for the play-offs.
In the Eliminator they overcame Gujarat and now tackle Punjab, who were spanked by RCB in the Eliminator.
“The game against Delhi, when we got those three runouts and won was the turning point of our season. Because we were at that time five games, four losses, one win,” MI coach Mahela Jayawardene said about their campaign.
“That was a crucial match and Delhi was the top-of-the-table team. We did get a decent score but we didn’t bowl well. It was a team win and that just gave us a lot of momentum.”
Punjab’s star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to return to the team after an injury to his right wrist kept him on the sidelines since May 18. He was seen wearing a protective gear on his wrist during PBKS’ training session.
Mumbai Indians seamer Deepak Chahar is suffering from a niggle on the left knee ahead of their IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
