Santner sidelined minimum one month with grade-three shoulder ACL injury
Synopsis
Mitchell Santner's IPL 2026 campaign ended with a grade-three ACL shoulder injury that will sideline New Zealand's white-ball captain for at least a month. The injury forces him out of the Ireland Test and England's first match, raising questions about his readiness for a packed international summer and the West Indies white-ball tour in July.
Key Takeaways
Mitchell Santner suffers grade-three ACL shoulder injury while fielding for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 .
Specialist assessment confirms minimum one-month rest and rehabilitation period.
Ruled out of Ireland Test ( 27 May ) and England's first Test at Lord's ( 4–8 June ).
Availability for The Oval and Trent Bridge Tests to be determined later.
Keshav Maharaj replaces Santner for remainder of IPL 2026 .
Santner had claimed five wickets in four matches for Mumbai Indians before injury.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand's white-ball captain and all-rounder, will be unavailable for at least one month following a grade-three ACL shoulder injury confirmed by scans on Friday, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced. The 34-year-old sustained the injury to his left shoulder while fielding for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026, forcing him to exit the tournament early.
How the injury unfolded
Santner first developed a niggle to his non-bowling shoulder while fielding against Delhi Capitals on 4 April, leading him to sit out the subsequent match against Rajasthan Royals on 7 April. He returned to play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 12 April and Gujarat Titans on 20 April, but aggravated the same shoulder during the CSK encounter. He was spotted in the dressing room with an ice pack and was replaced via concussion substitute as MI continued their chase.
IPL impact and replacement
In four matches for Mumbai Indians before his exit, Santner claimed five wickets for 125 runs. The five-time champion franchise signed South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament.
Test cricket implications
Santner's absence rules him out of the one-off four-day Test against Ireland at Stormont, Belfast on 27 May and the opening Test of the England series at Lord's (4–8 June). His availability for the subsequent England Tests at The Oval (17–21 June) and Trent Bridge (25–29 June) will be reassessed after his recovery trajectory becomes clearer. NZC will announce the full squad for both series in the coming days.
International calendar ahead
New Zealand's next white-ball commitment is an ODI and T20I tour to the West Indies scheduled for July. Whether Santner will be fit for that assignment depends on his rehabilitation progress over the next four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the extent of Mitchell Santner's shoulder injury?
Santner has a grade-three ACL shoulder injury to his left shoulder, confirmed by specialist scans on Friday. He requires a minimum of one month's rest and rehabilitation.
How did Santner sustain the injury?
Santner injured his left shoulder while fielding for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. The injury occurred after he had already developed a niggle to the same shoulder earlier in the tournament.
Which international matches will Santner miss?
Santner is ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland at Stormont on 27 May and England's first Test at Lord's from 4–8 June. His availability for subsequent Tests at The Oval and Trent Bridge will be reassessed later.
Who replaced Santner in the IPL?
South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was signed by Mumbai Indians as Santner's replacement for the remainder of IPL 2026.
What was Santner's IPL 2026 performance before the injury?
In four matches for Mumbai Indians, Santner claimed five wickets for 125 runs before being forced to exit the tournament.
