IPL 2026: MI under scanner for Shardul–Santner concussion substitution amid shoulder injury concerns; Mahela Jayawardene clarifies - What does the law say?

The Mumbai Indians were handed a massive 103-run hammering by arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium.

While Sanju Samson stole the show with an unbeaten century and Akeal Hosein tightened the screws with a four-wicket haul, one of the major talking points of the game was the Mumbai Indians bringing in Shardul Thakur as a concussion sub for Mitchell Santner.

The New Zealand spinner was taken off due to injury in the 17th over, when he dived forward at deep square leg to complete a catch of Kartik Sharma off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling. The physios were brought onto the field, and Santner had to walk off, clutching his left shoulder. Replays of the catch also showed him hitting the side of his head on the ground. 

Shardul Thakur was brought in as the concussion substitute for Santner in Mumbai’s batting innings, but he failed to make an impact, scoring six runs in 12 balls, on what was a dismal day for the Mumbai Indians batters. 

Questions arose after images of Santner with an ice pack strapped to his shoulder were doing the rounds on social media. Fans were seen questioning why there was a need for a concussion sub if the injury was to the player's shoulder.

MI coach Mahela Jayawardene clarifies

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene explained the situation leading to the concussion substitution being made. 

“Santner hit his head first, the neck and obviously, the shoulder as well. He then went for a scan. Once he got back he felt dizziness so he was lying down. Yes, the ice was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn't stable, so we took him for a scan in that situation,” Jayawardene said, speaking in the post-match press conference.

“We requested a concussion sub. It's at the match referee and the umpires' discretion. They allowed Shardul Thakur. It is what it is. But hopefully, Santner's injury isn't too bad. Once he's back, we'll have a look at it,” he added.

Prior to the incident, Santner had finished his quota of four overs with figures of 1/44, picking up the early wicket of Sarfaraz Khan in the powerplay. Santner had previously suffered a minor injury to his shoulder while fielding against the Delhi Capitals on April 4, due to which he had to miss the five-time champions' following game against the Rajasthan Royals.

Watch replay of Mitchell Santner's catch here:

What does the law say on concussion substitutes?

Clause 1.2.9 of the IPL 2026 playing conditions that deal with concussion substitutes state that a replacement may be allowed “if a player sustains a concussion or suspected concussion, as a result of a head or neck injury during the course of the relevant match.”

The team doctor is then required to “formally diagnose the concussion or suspected concussion” before the team manager submits a formal request to the match referee for a concussion replacement.

“The IPL match referee should ordinarily approve a concussion replacement request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.

"If the IPL match referee believes that the inclusion of the nominated concussion replacement, when performing their normal role, would excessively advantage their team, the IPL match referee may impose such conditions upon the identity and involvement of the concussion replacement as he/she sees fit, in line with the overriding objective of facilitating a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player.”