IPL 2026: Mitchell Santner ruled out due to injury, MI sign Keshav Maharaj as replacement

Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for injured Mitchell Santner for the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). Santner first sustained a niggle on his right shoulder while fielding during MI's second fixture against Delhi Capitals (DC).

As a result, he missed the following fixture against Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, he further suffered a left shoulder injury while taking a catch near the boundary during Mumbai’s last fixture against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Santner played four matches for MI this season, scalping five wickets at an average of 25 and an economy of 8.92. He will be replaced by Maharaj, who joins MI for Rs 75 Lakh.

Maharaj is vastly experienced in T20 cricket with 191 scalps to his name from 208 innings. He previously played two matches in the IPL, during the 2024 season for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Meanwhile, MI are in the middle of a forgettable IPL season as they’re placed ninth (second last) on the IPL 2026 points table with two wins from seven matches, having just four points to their name.

MI's campaign going nowhere

It seemed as if MI returned back on track with a massive 99-run victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) in their sixth match. However, they were hammered by CSK in their last game by a massive 103 runs, the biggest defeat margin for the five-time champions in IPL history.

The Hardik Pandya-led side will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday, April 29 at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, it hasn’t been a happy hunting venue for the five-time champions, who’ve lost their last three successive fixtures at the venue, the first time in a single season.