Mumbai Indians have signed South Africa left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj after Mitchell Santner was ruled out of IPL 2026 with a shoulder injury. The signing was confirmed on April 27, 2026, ending a brief but impactful chapter for the New Zealand all-rounder and opening a new one for the seasoned South African tweaker. The announcement comes as Mumbai Indians desperately search for consistency in a challenging IPL 2026 campaign.
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Official Mumbai Indians Statement
“Mumbai Indians have confirmed the signing of South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj 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,” the Mumbai Indians informed in a statement. Mumbai Indians welcomed Keshav to the Blue and Gold brigade, claiming his hunger, his craft, and his experience make him exactly the kind of cricketer this team thrives on, adding to his values, discipline, and ability to operate under pressure.
How Santner Got Injured
Santner injured his shoulder while attempting a catch at the boundary against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. He was spotted in the dressing room with an ice pack around his shoulder during the chase as MI used a concussion substitute for him. It was a cruel blow for both the player and the franchise — a fielding effort that ended his tournament prematurely.
Replacement Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player In | Keshav Maharaj |
| Player Out | Mitchell Santner |
| Signing Fee | ₹75 Lakh |
| Injury Type | Left Shoulder |
| Match Injured | MI vs CSK, April 23 |
| Maharaj’s IPL Experience | 2 matches (RR, 2024) |
Mitchell Santner’s IPL 2026 Stats Before Injury
Santner’s season lasted just four matches in which he took five wickets at an average of 25.00, with best figures of 2/16 and scoring 26 runs in two innings. Despite the injury-curtailed campaign, Santner had offered moments of genuine control and was one of MI’s more reliable bowling options before this setback.
Who Is Keshav Maharaj?
Maharaj is one of South Africa’s most experienced spinners across all formats. The left-arm bowler with sharp control and the ability to build sustained pressure has been a consistent presence in the Proteas setup since his international debut in 2016. He was selected for South Africa’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad without having played a single T20I, debuted as captain against Sri Lanka, and took a wicket with his very first delivery in the format.
Keshav Maharaj’s T20 Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Internationals | 54 | – | – | – |
| All T20s | 218 | 191 | 27.63 | 4/15 |
| Last 30 T20s | 30 | 31 | – | 3/15 |
A captain for the national team and in franchise cricket, Keshav, in his last 30 T20 matches, has taken 31 wickets with a best of 3 for 15. In 218 T20s, he has taken 191 wickets at an average of 27.63, with best figures of 4/15.
Franchise Experience
He has experience in franchise leagues across the world, having played in the CPL, the BPL and the Vitality Blast, apart from the SA20 and the erstwhile Mzansi Super League in South Africa. In the most recent SA20 season, he captained his new franchise Pretoria Capitals to the final, and finished the campaign with 12 wickets in as many games. Maharaj, who has 54 T20I caps for South Africa, has played just two games in the IPL before — for Rajasthan Royals in 2024.
MI’s Spin Attack After Maharaj’s Arrival
In addition to Maharaj, MI’s spin options also include AM Ghazanfar, Mayank Markande and Raghu Sharma, as well as England all-rounder Will Jacks. The depth in spin gives Mumbai Indians significant flexibility, particularly on the slower surfaces expected in the second half of IPL 2026.
Mumbai Indians’ Current Standing
The five-time IPL champions have won just two matches out of the seven in the ongoing season so far and are placed ninth on the points table. They will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wednesday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The franchise desperately needs a turnaround, and Maharaj’s proven ability to build pressure through consistent line and length could prove to be a decisive factor in their campaign revival. His leadership experience, having captained both the national side and franchise teams, also adds an intangible quality to MI’s dressing room at a critical juncture.
Read More: IPL 2026: Top 5 Batters with Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
FAQs
Why was Mitchell Santner ruled out of IPL 2026?
Mitchell Santner was ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a left shoulder injury sustained while attempting a catch at the boundary during Mumbai Indians’ match against Chennai Super Kings on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium.
How much did Mumbai Indians pay for Keshav Maharaj
Mumbai Indians signed Keshav Maharaj for a fee of ₹75 lakh as Mitchell Santner’s replacement for the remainder of IPL 2026.
How many IPL matches has Keshav Maharaj played before joining Mumbai Indians?
Keshav Maharaj had played just two IPL matches before this signing, both for Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 season.
What are Keshav Maharaj’s T20 credentials?
Maharaj has taken 191 wickets in 218 T20 matches at an average of 27.63, with best figures of 4/15. In his last 30 T20 matches, he took 31 wickets with a best of 3/15.
Where are Mumbai Indians placed in the IPL 2026 points table?
Mumbai Indians are placed ninth in the IPL 2026 points table, with just two wins from seven matches, making Maharaj’s signing a critical reinforcement for their campaign.
