The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, match no.33, was between the two heavyweight teams of the tournament as the Mumbai Indians (MI) hosted the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the game. Shardul Thakur came into bat for the home side despite them already using the option of the impact player in the game.
Shardul Thakur came into bat as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner, who hurt his left shoulder while completing that catch of Kartik Sharma. The New Zealand skipper took a brilliant catch in the 16.5 over of Jasprit Bumrah’s ball, and soon he was taken aback, holding his left shoulder in the game. He was taken off the field, and Shardul Thakur has been on the crease.
Why Shardul Thakur came into bat?
Mitchell Santner was seen having a heavy strapping on his left shoulder area, which is also his bowling arm. The Kiwi did not come out to bat after the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford; instead, Shardul Thakur came into bat. MI already used their impact sub in the game. Was it legal and a like-for-like concussion sub of playing Shardul Thakur in place of Santner? The question will stay.
The concussion substitution rule in cricket (also known as substitution) permits a player suspected of having a head injury to be substituted, protecting player safety. The ICC implemented the rule in 2019, which requires a “like-for-like” replacement approved by the match referee to guarantee fairness.
MI batters crumble
MI made a disastrous start, while chasing 208 runs, losing three wickets in two overs, with the score 11/3, and Akeal Hosein taking two wickets in his first two overs. The first wicket to go was Danish Malewar for a golden duck, then the other opener, Quinton de Kock, was removed by Mukesh Choudhary, then Hosein struck again inform of Naman Dhir.
MI could only manage 29/3 in the power play, thanks to the CSK bowlers’ outstanding performance. This was their lowest power play total in the IPL 2026. Then Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma put on a 73-run partnership before Tilak was dismissed for 37 runs as Akeal picked up his third wicket of the match.
Mumbai Indians have lost wickets after that partnership, and the wickets kept on falling like nine pins as they were 83/4 to 87/7. Losing four wickets in the span of four runs. As the spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad created a web.
Sanju Samson show at Wankhede
Putting into bat first by MI, CSK put up a total of 207/6 in their 20 overs with Sanju Samson scoring a brilliant century. He was unbeaten on the score of 101 runs, and it was his second century in CSK colours and fifth overall.
Sanju’s last time he played at his venue was at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England, where nearly 500+ runs were scored, as India won by 7 runs. The wicket-keeper batter scored a brilliant 89-run innings. It was a top-class innings from the batter.
Also Read: Tilak Varma engaged in a heated argument with Jamie Overton during MI vs CSK clash
