Shardul Thakur Replaces Mitchell Santner As Concussion Substitute In MI vs CSK Match

MI team in IPL 2026 [Source: AP]

In a recent development, Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of the MI vs CSK clash due to a bad injury he sustained while taking a catch of Kartik Sharma during CSK's innings. Replacing him, Shardul Thakur has walked onto the field.

The Mumbai Indians camp shared an official update that Shardul Thakur will be replacing Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute if things worsen and he is required during the chase.

How Impactful Shardul Thakur Is So Far In IPL 2026?

Notably, in IPL 2026, Shardul Thakur has played five matches so far and has been significantly impactful but expensive. He has taken six wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 13.57 while striking at 14.00.

He made his mark against KKR in the MI vs KKR inaugural clash, where he picked up three wickets while giving away 39 runs from his four-over spell.

Thakur To Fill Santner’s Place

Thakur was traded to the Mumbai Indians from LSG in IPL 2026 for INR 2 crore ahead of the auction, and his inclusion now calls for him to take strike if required.

Notably, with the bat, he has played only one match where, against the Rajasthan Royals, he scored 8 runs off 7 deliveries.

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Although not as impactful as Mitchell Santner with the bat, Shardul Thakur’s inclusion as a concussion substitute will be a desperate attempt for MI to revive their campaign against CSK in CSK vs MI while chasing a mammoth 278-run target.

How Was Santner Injured?

Mitchell Santner had to walk off the field during the 17th over of CSK's innings after landing awkwardly on his arms while taking a superb catch of Kartik Sharma. Soon after, Santner was seen in visible pain, clutching his left shoulder, and was quickly escorted to the dugout by the physios. 

He was later spotted applying an ice pack to his left shoulder. Yet, the extent and seriousness of Santner's injury remain unknown, as no official update has been provided by the MI camp so far.

Nevertheless, Thakur’s inclusion in the Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians match will be an interesting aspect of the game, especially as Mumbai Indians are currently struggling in the chase. Notably, Shardul has a strike rate of 138.75 while scoring 333 runs in the IPL.

Should Shardul Thakur Be Allowed As A Concussion Substitute?

As per the eligibility of Thakur in the match, the concussion substitute rule in the IPL allows a team to replace a player who suffers a massive injury, especially to the head or neck, during a match, with a like-for-like substitute approved by the match referee. 

However, interestingly, Shardul Thakur's inclusion is on the grounds of a different calibre since Mitchell Santner has been ruled out because of a shoulder injury and not one related to the head or neck. 

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However, it is also stated that if a player is diagnosed with a concussion by the team doctor, a replacement can be requested from the match referee.

Shardul is a like-for-like replacement for Santner as a bowling all-rounder and as the match referee has approved the decision, Shardul will be playing in the match.

The injured player, that is Mitchell Santner, will not be able to return to the MI vs CSK IPL 2026 match once substituted.

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