Mumbai Indians’ decision to replace Mitchell Santner with Shardul Thakur under the concussion substitution rule sparked debate after their defeat to Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The change was approved by the umpires during the second innings after Santner suffered a fall while fielding late in CSK’s innings. MI vs CSK: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
At issue was not only the medical basis for the substitution but also whether Thakur met the requirement to be an equal replacement for Santner.
The flashpoint came in the 17th over when Santner completed a diving catch to dismiss Kartika Sharma. While the New Zealand international was immediately seen holding his left shoulder and was subsequently treated in the dugout using an ice pack and a sling, a formal request for a substitute was made on the basis of a suspected concussion.
Under IPL playing conditions, concussion compensation is allowed if a player has sustained a head or neck injury, provided the match referee is satisfied with the medical diagnosis. The debate arose because the visible injury appeared to be on Santner’s shoulder, while a replacement claim was made based on neurological symptoms.
MI COACH DEFENDS SUBCALL
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene explained the team’s medical position after the match.
“He hit his head and neck first. Of course he also hit his shoulder,” Jayawardene said.
“He went for a scan. As soon as he came back he felt dizzy. So he was lying down. Yes, there was ice for the shoulder. But he felt he was not stable. So we took him for a scan.”
The selection of Thakur as a replacement has also come under scrutiny as Santner is an orthodox left-arm spinner while Thakur is a right-arm medium pacer.
Jayawardene said the last call was not from Mumbai.
“We asked (for a concussion substitute). Obviously it’s a decision of the match referee and the referees. They allowed Shardul,” he said.
Jayawardene also addressed the comparison between the two all-rounders in a lighter vein.
“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting prowess has matched Shardul’s. But it is what it is. Hopefully it’s not too bad,” he said.
Despite the tactical flexibility the rotation provided, Mumbai could not recover in the chase. Chennai Super Kings had earlier posted 207 with Sanju Samson scoring an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls in the first innings.
CSK then used Akeal Hosein as their Impact Player rather than adding batting cover, and the movement shaped the competition quickly. Defending 207, Hosein struck early and repeatedly to reduce Mumbai Indians to 11 for 3 in the over. The left-arm spinner finished 4 for 17 as Mumbai were bowled out for 104, sealing a comprehensive victory for Chennai and leaving the concussion substitute as one of the highlights of the game.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
24 Apr 2026 08:21 IST
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