In a major blow to the Mumbai Indians (MI), left-arm orthodox spinner and New Zealand white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2026 due to a right shoulder injury. Mitchell Santner, who is a key player for the MI team, initially sustained a niggle in his non-bowling shoulder while fielding in the game against DC on April 4th. He sat out the next game against RR on April 7th. He came back to feature in the RCB game on April 12 and played against GT on April 20th.
But he suffered a serious injury in the game against CSK on April 23rd and was subsequently ruled out. Santner had picked up 5 wickets in 4 matches this season. MI have now roped in experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as the replacement for Santner for the remainder of the season. Maharaj has played just two IPL games for RR in 2024, but brings experience and guile to the bowling attack.
What Happened To Mitchell Santner?Â
Mitchell Santner arrived a little late for IPL 2026, as he did not play in their opening game against KKR. Thereafter, he played against DC, where, while fielding, he hurt his shoulder and missed the subsequent game against RR. He was back in action against RCB and then played the GT game as well. In the game against CSK, Santner had finished his spell.
Towards the back-end of the innings, Santner tried to field in the deep, and while attempting that, he landed awkwardly on the head and then the shoulder as well. The same shoulder that he was having problems with. He felt dizzy, and so a concussion substitute was allowed in his place. But his shoulder was the concern, and he was subsequently ruled out. Keshav Maharaj has been named as his replacement for the remainder of the MI’s campaign.
What Does Keshav Maharaj Bring to the MI team?Â
For starters, he will be a fresh inclusion and won’t carry the baggage of the team’s previous performances this season or before that as well. Maharaj has played in just two IPL games for RR in 2024, and so his experience for the IPL is limited. But he brings a strong skillset and a like-for-like replacement for Santner. Maharaj, like Santner, has led South Africa in limited-overs games and has the experience for T20 cricket. Maharaj has picked up 191 wickets in 218 T20S. 39 of those wickets have come across four seasons of SA20.
Maharaj is no stranger to franchise or T20 cricket and will be well used to the rigours of it. If we compare him with Santner, it is evident that Maharaj’s bowling skills are better, and he may be a better bowler than Santner. But in terms of batting, Santner is a better batter than him. Maharaj bats right-handed, but bowls left-handed. Maharaj can be used as a wicket-taker. But whether MI can accommodate him in the Playing XI remains to be seen.
With so many options available for MI, including Will Jacks, who has also arrived, but is yet to play a game, the task is cut out for the MI team to play the right number of foreigners in the XI. MI faces SRH on Wednesday night, and it remains to be seen whether Maharaj plays that match. At this stage, it is looking like a 50-50 call. It could be a gut instinct one. But he is a good option for the Men in Blue going ahead in the tournament. As it is, Ghazanfar is playing in this XI for MI.
So, MI, after a 5-day break, will be back in action on Wednesday night against SRH in Mumbai in what will be a do-or-die clash for them against the high-flying Orange Army.
Also Read: MI vs SRH: MI’s Victory Over SRH Breaks Records