MI player who quit IPL due to injury joins national team’s Test squad; to play against England

Mumbai Indians’ Mitchell Santner, center, celebrates with fellow wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Khan of Chennai Super Kings during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo) New Zealand have received a boost ahead of their Test series against England with the return of Mitchell Santner, who has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during the IPL while playing for Mumbai Indians.Santner was initially ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland and the opening Test against England after scans revealed a grade three shoulder injury that required around a month of rehabilitation.The 34-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder has now recovered and arrived in the UK on Saturday. He is set to join the New Zealand squad ahead of the first Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which starts on June 4.Santner suffered the injury while playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. The franchise later signed Keshav Maharaj as his replacement.New Zealand head into the England series after completing an innings win over Ireland in less than three days. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner played key roles with the ball and Daryl Mitchell also contributed with his medium pace.Fast bowler Matt Henry has missed the Ireland Test with a minor hamstring strain. Along with Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke, he traveled to London to prepare for the England series.England will begin the series without playing a Test as the Ashes ended in January.