Mumbai Indians name Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner

Mumbai Indians have announced South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for New Zealand’s all-rounder Mitchell Santner. Santner sustained a left shoulder injury during the match against CSK on April 23rd. During the match, he was seen treating his shoulder with an ice pack and was immediately substituted by Shardul Thakur.

Mumbai Indians made an official statement: “Mumbai Indians have confirmed the signing of South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaja as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026, due to the injury he sustained on his left shoulder in the previous match."

"Mumbai Indians are delighted to welcome Keshav to the Blue and Gold. His hunger, his craft, and his experience make him exactly the kind of cricketer this team thrives on, added with his values, discipline and his ability to operate under pressure," they added.

Mumbai Indians hope Keshav Maharaj continues his form from SA20 in IPL 2026

Keshav Maharaja previously played only two games in IPL for Rajasthan Royals in the year 2024. Although he has amassed 817 wickets in 218 T20S across various leagues like CPL, BPL, Vitality Blast, SA20 league and also the Mzansi Super League in South Africa. In the recently concluded SA20 league, Keshav Maharaja has captained his side, Pretoria Capitals, in the final with 12 wickets in his name. For the South African national team, he has played 54 T20 matches and taken 55 wickets.

MI has good spinning options with the likes of Allah Gazanfar, Raghu Sharma, Mayank Markhande and also all-rounder Will Jacks. It will be interesting to see how MI incorporate Maharaja in the squad.

MI has only won two games out of seven played so far and is in the ninth spot in the IPL points table. They play Sunrisers Hyderabad next on Wednesday.