New Delhi: Deepak Chahar gave Mumbai Indians the much-needed win they were looking for in their IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chahar picked up the biggest wicket of the match by dismissing Rajasthan Royals’ star batsman Vibhav Suryavanshi cheaply.Suryavanshi was expected to come out all guns blazing in the all-important Rajasthan Royals clash but failed miserably. Chahar bowled a full length ball into the right slot. Suryavanshi hit a high shot but could only manage a crucial edge. Naman Dhir completed a brilliant catch at deep point to send Suryavanshi back to the pavilion on the run.After Suryavanshi’s dismissal, the entire Wankhede crowd became restless. MI captain Hardik Pandya Bursting with celebration, everyone smiled as he moved forward to embrace Chahar.Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat first in their final league match of the season, a must win for Rajasthan Royals.MI rested veteran fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and brought Deepak Chahar into the playing XI. Rajasthan Royals made three changes, with captain Ryan Prag, Nandre Burger, and Ravindra Jadeja coming into the team.MI captain Hardik Pandya said that the circumstances were behind the choice to bowl first. “When we play in the afternoon, it (the pitch) is better in the afternoon,” Pandya said on the toss.“Sounds like a good track. It’s tough. Most will play like this. Once the sun goes down it’s a bit better. Just want to come out there and give it my best shot. We’ve had a tough season,” he added.With Rajasthan Royals needing a win to clinch a fourth playoff spot, skipper Prag said the team will be at their best in a must-win contest as they trail Punjab Kings by a point.“That’s what happened. It could be the last game of the season. We’ll play like that. All the preparation and energy in the tournament… hopefully, we’ll maximize our chances and advance in the playoffs. Do it instead of depending on somebody else,” he said.Playing XI:Rajasthan Royals: Yashwi Jaiswal, Vibhu Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jural (w), Ryan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasan Shanaka, Jofra Itcher, Nandre Burger, Yash Rajpanja, Brijesh SharmaImpact Subs: Ravindra Jadeja, Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao Prala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar DeshpandeMumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wicket), Naman Dhir, Surya Kumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu SharmaImpact Subs: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Munns, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult
