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#IPL #coach #Jayawardene #clarifies #concussion #substitution #Shardul #Santner">IPL 2026: MI coach Jayawardene clarifies concussion substitution of Shardul for Santner Mitchell Santner clutching his shoulder after completing a stunning catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma in the 17th over of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) innings was there for all to see.
But when news emerged that Shardul Thakur had replaced Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase, it raised more than a few eyebrows.
MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene was quick to clarify the sequence of events, stressing that the injury was not limited to the shoulder.
“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 dizziness, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable,” Jayawardene said after his side was annihilated at home by CSK.
“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.”
According to playing conditions, a concussion substitute is permitted only as a like-for-like replacement if a player suffers a head injury during the course of a match.
Santner, who also leads New Zealand in T20Is, had been seen on screen with an ice pack on his shoulder, prompting speculation. Jayawardene’s explanation, however, underlined that the primary concern was the head impact and subsequent dizziness.
Adding a touch of humour to the situation, Jayawardene quipped about the perceived like-for-like nature of the replacement.
“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting power is matched to Shardul Thakur, but it is what it is,” he said. “But hopefully it’s not too bad. Once he comes back, we will have a look at it.”
Published on Apr 24, 2026
Mitchell Santner clutching his shoulder after completing a stunning catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma in…
Sports news
#IPL #Mumbai #Indians #battle #pesky #slow #starters #tag #RCB #calling">IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians battle pesky ‘slow starters’ tag as RCB comes calling
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a sense of renewed optimism. The long-standing jinx of opening-game defeats had finally been broken, and the early signs hinted at momentum. But as it returns to familiar surroundings for Sunday night’s marquee Indian Premier League clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the mood is likely more subdued than buoyant.
The tag of ‘slow starters’ has resurfaced. Hardik Pandya and Co. have dropped both their away games, and the concern is less about the batting star power and more about a bowling unit that is yet to click. Across three matches, Mumbai Indians’ bowlers have managed only 11 wickets combined — a telling statistic that underlines their struggles. More worrying is that, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner (who has featured in only one game), every other bowler has conceded at an economy rate in double digits.
ALSO READ | Move over Mumbai Indians, Wankhede awaits its OG headliner – Virat Kohli
That lack of control has inevitably placed additional pressure on the batting unit. While the batters have shown flashes of form, they have not quite managed to dominate on the road. Against that backdrop, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will sense an opportunity to breach the Wankhede Stadium fortress.
RCB’s batting has largely been in rhythm, notwithstanding the middle-overs stutter against Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. The return of Krunal Pandya to face his former franchise, with younger brother Hardik leading the opposition, adds an intriguing sub-plot to a contest already headlined by the ever-compelling Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli duel.
ALSO READ | Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?
Krunal’s crafty left-arm spin played a key role in dragging RCB back into the contest after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s onslaught on Friday. On a surface he knows well, the allrounder will be keen to build on that performance.
While MI will be fretting over Mitchell Santner’s fitness, RCB faces a selection call. Rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh has been expensive in the first three games, and the think-tank may consider turning to Rasikh Dar, last season’s trusted death-overs option, for added control at the back-end.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a sense of renewed optimism. The long-standing jinx of opening-game defeats had finally been broken, and the early signs hinted at momentum. But as it returns to familiar surroundings for Sunday night’s marquee Indian Premier League clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the mood is likely more subdued than buoyant.
The tag of ‘slow starters’ has resurfaced. Hardik Pandya and Co. have dropped both their away games, and the concern is less about the batting star power and more about a bowling unit that is yet to click. Across three matches, Mumbai Indians’ bowlers have managed only 11 wickets combined — a telling statistic that underlines their struggles. More worrying is that, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner (who has featured in only one game), every other bowler has conceded at an economy rate in double digits.
ALSO READ | Move over Mumbai Indians, Wankhede awaits its OG headliner – Virat Kohli
That lack of control has inevitably placed additional pressure on the batting unit. While the batters have shown flashes of form, they have not quite managed to dominate on the road. Against that backdrop, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will sense an opportunity to breach the Wankhede Stadium fortress.
RCB’s batting has largely been in rhythm, notwithstanding the middle-overs stutter against Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. The return of Krunal Pandya to face his former franchise, with younger brother Hardik leading the opposition, adds an intriguing sub-plot to a contest already headlined by the ever-compelling Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli duel.
ALSO READ | Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?
Krunal’s crafty left-arm spin played a key role in dragging RCB back into the contest after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s onslaught on Friday. On a surface he knows well, the allrounder will be keen to build on that performance.
While MI will be fretting over Mitchell Santner’s fitness, RCB faces a selection call. Rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh has been expensive in the first three games, and the think-tank may consider turning to Rasikh Dar, last season’s trusted death-overs option, for added control at the back-end.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a…