Mumbai Indians walked out without one of their key players against RR recently. The all-rounder’s absence raised direct questions among fans watching the match live. Social media buzzed with belief about what happened to the Kiwi star.
Team management stayed quiet until after the game ended with another disappointing loss. Finally the head coach stepped up to address everyone’s burning questions about selection. His explanation revealed more than just a simple tactical decision behind the scenes.
How Mitchell Santner Got Injured During IPL 2026
Mitchell Santner hurt his right shoulder while diving to stop a boundary ball. The incident happened during the 14th over against the DC in their last game. He was fielding at the boundary when he pushed too far awkwardly.
The New Zealand all-rounder had bowled really well before getting injured in that match. He gave away just 22 runs and grabbed Pathum Nissanka’s wicket economically too. But the diving effort damaged his non-bowling shoulder requiring immediate medical attention afterward.
Team doctors examined him thoroughly after he walked off the field visibly painful. They ruled him out as a precautionary step rather than risking further hurt. Smart teams don’t gamble with player fitness especially during long contests like IPL 2026.
What the MI Head Coach Said About Santner’s Absence
Mahela Jayawardene spoke to reporters after losing to RR by 27 runs. He confirmed Mitchell Santner wasn’t fully fit for this encounter. He explained that the team decided to rest him completely for recovery purposes.
“Mitch, in the last game, had a little niggle when he came off. As a precaution, he wasn’t a hundred per cent ready to play this game. Hopefully, he will be fully fit for our next game,” Mahela Jayawardene said.
Jayawardene expects Santner to return for their next match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru soon. The MI head Coach sounded optimistic about his star all-rounder’s quick recovery timeline. Medical staff believe that rest will help him recover without complications developing later.
Who Replaced Mitchell Santner in Playing Eleven
Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar got another IPL 2026 chance replacing the ruled-out Kiwi. The young spinner caught this chance brilliantly taking 2 wickets for 21 runs. He dismissed RR captain Riyan Parag and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel in his 2 overs.
Mumbai Indians made three total changes for the rain-curtailed 11-over match at Guwahati. Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult are back in the lineup after missing the last game. Corbin Bosch and Mayank Markande lost their spots alongside the ruled-out Mitchell Santner.
MI sits seventh on the IPL 2026 points table after two losses. Their next game against defending champions RCB at Wankhede becomes very crucial for the playoffs.
