Mumbai Indians all-rounder Mitchell Santner missed a recent IPL 2026 match because of a shoulder niggle. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that the team decided to rest him as a precaution.
According to the coach, Santner suffered the injury during the previous match against Delhi Capitals. The team did not want to risk worsening the problem, so they kept him out of the next game.
Jayawardene shared the update during the post-match press conference in Guwahati and said the team hopes Santner will be ready for the upcoming matches.
How Santner Picked Up the Injury
Santner’s injury happened while he was trying to stop a boundary during the 14th over of the match against Delhi Capitals.
Despite the incident, Santner still managed to deliver a tidy bowling performance in that game.
Mitchell Santner performance vs Delhi Capitals
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs bowled | Economical spell |
| Runs conceded | 22 |
| Wickets | 1 |
| Key wicket | Pathum Nissanka |
However, after the match the team medical staff noticed that his shoulder was not fully comfortable. Because of this, Mumbai Indians decided to rest him in the following match.
Rain-Affected Match Against Rajasthan Royals
Mumbai Indians then faced Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The game was affected by rain and was reduced to 11 overs per side.
Rajasthan Royals took advantage of the shortened format and posted a strong total. Their captain Riyan Parag led the batting effort and helped the team reach a challenging score.
Mumbai Indians struggled during the chase and eventually lost the match by 27 runs.
Match summary
| Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| MI vs RR | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Rajasthan Royals won by 27 runs |
Allah Ghazanfar Replaces Santner in Playing XI
With Santner unavailable, Mumbai Indians made several changes to their playing XI.
Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult returned to the lineup, while Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar was included as Santner’s replacement.
Ghazanfar impressed in the match despite the difficult conditions.
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Allah Ghazanfar performance vs RR
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 2 |
| Runs conceded | 21 |
| Wickets | 2 |
He made an early impact by dismissing Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, who had started aggressively with 20 runs from just 10 balls. Ghazanfar also removed wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel later in the innings.
Even with his good bowling spell, Mumbai Indians were unable to defend the total of 150 runs.
Mumbai Indians’ Current Position in IPL 2026
The defeat pushed Mumbai Indians further down the points table. The team is currently placed seventh after losing two consecutive matches.
Their net run rate is also under pressure, which means they will need strong performances in upcoming games to climb back into playoff contention.
MI current situation
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Points table position | 7th |
| Recent results | Two straight losses |
| Key challenge | Improve net run rate |
Next Challenge: Match Against RCB
Mumbai Indians’ next match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium. They are scheduled to face defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, April 12.
RCB have started the season well and will arrive with good momentum. For Mumbai Indians, this game will be an important opportunity to return to winning form.
Possible Boost With Will Jacks’ Return
There may soon be some good news for Mumbai Indians. England all-rounder Will Jacks is expected to rejoin the squad after spending some time away on a short family break.
Head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the player has not yet joined the team but is expected to return soon.
Will Jacks return update
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Will Jacks | Yet to rejoin squad |
| Expected return | Soon |
| Role | All-rounder |
His return could strengthen the batting lineup and provide another bowling option for the team.
Key Points From the Update
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Santner injury | Right shoulder niggle |
| Cause | Boundary-saving effort vs DC |
| Replacement | Allah Ghazanfar |
| MI vs RR result | RR won by 27 runs |
| Next match | MI vs RCB at Wankhede |
| Possible boost | Will Jacks expected to rejoin |
Final Update
Mitchell Santner’s absence was mainly a precaution after a minor shoulder issue. Mumbai Indians will hope the New Zealand all-rounder recovers quickly and returns to strengthen their squad.
With important matches coming up and players like Will Jacks expected to return, the team will aim to recover from their recent defeats and push for a stronger position in IPL 2026.
