Mitchell Santner and Shardul Thakur (Source: X and AFP)
The five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, are struggling in the ongoing IPL 2026. The Hardik Pandya-led team suffered a crushing 103-run defeat against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
After the match, Mumbai was not just in the limelight for its poor performance and massive defeat; the game was also in the news for an issue involving Mitchell Santner after he was replaced by Shardul Thakur as a concussion substitute.
This decision raised questions among fans and several cricket experts, prompting the franchise to issue an official clarification after the match.
How did Mitchell Santner hurt himself?
The incident occurred during the 17th over of CSK's innings. Mitchell Santner, positioned at deep square leg, made a full-length dive to complete a catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma.
While the catch was impressive, Santner immediately showed signs of discomfort. He clutched his shoulder and walked off the field, clearly in pain.
Television visuals later showed him in the dressing room with an ice pack strapped to his left shoulder. At first glance, it looked like a straightforward shoulder injury. There were no visible signs of a head injury, which is usually required for a concussion substitute.
This is what led to confusion. Many questioned how MI could request a concussion replacement when Santner did not seem to have suffered any blow to the head.
How did MI replace Mitchell Santner with Shardul Thakur as concussion sub?
Under IPL rules, a concussion substitute is allowed if a player suffers a head injury or shows symptoms of concussion during a match. The team must inform the match referee and provide medical reasoning. The replacement must also be 'like-for-like,' meaning a player with a similar role.
A concussion does not always require a direct hit to the head. A heavy fall or a sudden impact to the body can also cause the brain to move rapidly, leading to symptoms such as dizziness or imbalance.
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Mumbai Indians appear to have used this reason. They likely argued that Mitchell Santner's dive and fall could have caused such an impact, even if the visible injury was on his shoulder.
MI break silence on controversial Mitchell Santner replacement
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed the controversy after the match. He explained that Santner's injury was more serious than it appeared.
According to Jayawardene, Santner first made contact with his head and neck during the dive before hurting his shoulder. After returning to the dressing room, he reportedly felt dizzy and unstable, which raised concerns about a possible concussion.
Jayawardene said the team immediately sent Mitchell Santner for a scan and then requested a substitution.
“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back he felt dizzy, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable,” Jayawardene said.
“So we took him for a scan in that situation, so we requested (a concussion sub). Obviously, it’s at the match referee’s and umpire’s discretion, so they allowed Shardul.”
Mumbai Indians' performance so far in IPL 2026
Mumbai Indians have had a poor start to the 2026 season, winning only 2 of their first 7 matches. With five defeats, they currently sit in the lower half of the points table.
The Mumbai-based franchise will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29 at the Wankhede Stadium.
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