Mumbai Indians Face Setback as Mitchell Santner is Ruled Out of IPL 2026

Mitchell Santner's Injury Forces MI to Seek Replacement

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have encountered a significant setback with the news that all-rounder Mitchell Santner will miss the IPL 2026 season due to a shoulder injury. This unfortunate incident occurred during MI's recent match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 23, when Santner injured his shoulder while attempting to catch a ball in the 17th over.

Having joined MI for ₹2 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Santner was retained for the same amount for the upcoming season. In light of his absence, MI has signed South African spinner Keshav Maharaj as his replacement for ₹75 lakh. Maharaj, who went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, has prior experience in the league, having played for the Rajasthan Royals.

IPL officials confirmed that Maharaj, an accomplished left-arm spinner, recently participated in a T20I series against New Zealand and has played in two IPL matches in 2024. He will now join the Mumbai Indians as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the tournament.