Mumbai Indians Coach Addresses Concussion Substitution in IPL Defeat

In a recent IPL 2026 match, the Mumbai Indians faced a staggering defeat against the Chennai Super Kings, losing by 103 runs. Coach Mahela Jayawardene clarified the circumstances surrounding Mitchell Santner's concussion substitution, revealing that Santner experienced dizziness after a diving catch. Despite the loss, Jayawardene praised young spinner Allah Ghazanfar's performance. This match marked CSK's largest victory margin in IPL history, propelling them to fifth place in the points table, while MI struggles at eighth. The team is set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad next.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 24, 2026, 15:23 IST

Mumbai Indians Face Heavy Defeat Against CSK

On April 24, during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match at Wankhede Stadium, the Mumbai Indians (MI) suffered a significant loss, falling to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 103 runs, marking their largest defeat in IPL history.

A notable incident occurred when Shardul Thakur came in as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner in the 14th over, raising concerns about the nature of Santner's injury and the protocols followed by the team. Earlier in the match, Santner had made a diving catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma but left the field in visible discomfort, holding his shoulder. Thakur's entry to bat while MI was struggling at 87/7 led to questions about whether Santner's injury was related to a head impact.

Clarification from Jayawardene on Santner's Condition

In the post-match press conference, MI's head coach Mahela Jayawardene provided insights into Santner's condition, stating that he experienced dizziness after returning to the dugout, which necessitated further medical evaluation. Jayawardene explained, "He hit his head first, neck, and 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 ice was there for the shoulder. But he felt that he wasn't stable. So, we took him for a scan in that situation. We requested [for a concussion substitute]. Obviously, it is at the match referee and the umpire's discretion."

He added, "They allowed Shardul. Mitch will be disappointed that his batting powers are matched to Shardul Thakur. But it is what it is. But hopefully, it's not too bad."

CSK Achieves Record Victory

The match concluded with CSK dominating in all aspects, scoring 207/6, thanks to a stellar 101 runs off 54 balls from Sanju Samson. In response, MI was bowled out for a mere 104 runs. Akeal Hosein was particularly impressive, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs, while Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, and Gurjapneet Singh contributed to dismantling MI's batting order.

Jayawardene Commends Young Spinner

Despite the heavy defeat, Jayawardene praised the performance of young spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who took two wickets while conceding only 25 runs in his four overs. He remarked, "I thought Allah bowled well. I think he's young; he's proven to be quite mature for his age. How he thinks, how he bowls, he's bowling in the powerplay, and after that [as well]. The more games he plays, he will do well. Even their two spinners bowled well today as well. It was a great spell from Akeal. We just need to keep backing Allah to do what he does."

Current Points Table Status

This match marked CSK's largest victory margin in IPL history. Following this win, CSK climbed to fifth place in the points table with three victories out of seven matches. Meanwhile, MI is set to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad next Wednesday at the same venue, currently sitting eighth in the standings with four points from seven matches.