Mumbai Indians sign Keshav Maharaj as cover for injured Mitchell Santner
Mumbai Indians have brought in South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for INR 75 lakh after Mitchell Santner suffered head and shoulder problems.
By SportCricket Desk · 28 Apr 2026 · 3 min read
Mumbai Indians have signed Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Santner.
Santner’s injury
There was some confusion in the match when Santner was taken out during Mumbai’s batting innings and Shardul Thakur came on as a concussion substitute. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene later said Santner had suffered a head impact and a shoulder problem, which caused dizziness and led to medical scans.
The replacement
Mumbai acted quickly to bring in Maharaj, one of the most experienced left-arm spinners in world cricket. The 36-year-old South African joins the five-time champions for INR 75 lakh, his base price at the IPL 2026 auction.
He has played 218 T20 matches, taking 191 wickets at an economy rate of 7.12. After the T20 World Cup he captained South Africa in a T20I series against New Zealand while several senior players were rested. His IPL experience is brief: two matches for Rajasthan Royals in 2024, with two wickets at an economy of 6.50.
Mumbai’s season
Mumbai have had a tough IPL 2026 so far, winning only two of their first seven matches and sitting ninth in the table. They next play Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on April 29.
