Deepak Chahar didn’t want to leave the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but he’s happy that the team that he joined is another top team, the Mumbai Indians (MI). Having been with CSK since 2018, the pace-bowling all-rounder found success at the Chapauk Stadium and was one of their best players. Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, he’d expressed his desire to stay back with them and was confident they’d bid for him.
Chahar moves to rival franchise, Mumbai Indians
This came true as well. CSK did bid for him until his price reached Rs 9.25 crore. Knowing that they can’t spend their purse on just one player and risk messing up the balance of their squad, they chose to refrain from bidding further. Fascinatingly, Chahar went to CSK’s main rival, MI. The two teams are easily the best sides in IPL’s 17-year history, have played four finals against each other, and have the joint most titles (5).
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Wasn’t about money but joining the right team: Deepak Chahar on playign for MI
Chahar expressed that he didn’t care about how much money he got at the IPL 2025 auction but just wanted to join a strong team for whom he could perform, win matches, and eventually make his way back into the Indian cricket team.
“I’m looking forward to playing for Mumbai Indians. Certain things are not in our hands, so my focus is on playing the entire domestic season, featuring in the IPL, and returning to the Indian team. Mumbai is a great place for me as Wankhede Stadium suits my bowling style, with swing and seam movement on offer,” Chahar told Sportstar.
“For me, this auction wasn’t about the money but about joining the right team to help me make a comeback to the Indian side. At 32, the next four to five years are likely my peak, so I wanted a team that provides opportunities. I’m happy to move from one top franchise, Chennai Super Kings, to another, Mumbai Indians. Watching the auction, I was focused on the opportunity, not the money,” he added.
Deepak Chahar’s IPL stats
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 77 | 28.84 | 7.98 | 21.6 | 2 |
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