IPL 2026 controversy! Mahela Jayawardene breaks silence on Shardul Thakur’s shocking concussion sub call vs CSK

Mitchell Santner, while diving forward to grab the catch in the first innings, injured his shoulder. He immediately stood up and asked for medical treatment, indicating towards the shoulder that had already kept him out of action for a few games for the Mumbai Indians. 

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign against the Chennai Super Kings at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the home side experienced a massive defeat by 103 runs after they got bundled out for 104 runs in the chase of 208 runs.

Mahela Jayawardene finally reveals reason behind Shardul Thakur’s inclusion

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mumbai head coach Mahela Jayawardene reckoned that Santner hit his head while taking the catch, along with the impact on his neck and shoulder, which allowed him to be substituted.

Santner later went for the scans as he felt a bit dizzy. The five-time champions requested a concussion substitute, which was approved by the match referee and umpires, allowing Shardul Thakur to come straight into the playing eleven.

“Santner hit his head first, the neck, and obviously, the shoulder as well. He then went for a scan. Once he got back, he felt dizzy and lay down. Yes, the ice was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable.” Jayawardene expressed in the presser.

“So, we took him for a scan in that situation. We requested a concussion sub. It’s at the match referee and the umpires’ discretion: They allowed Shardul Thakur.” The former Sri Lanka captain addressed.

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Before facing the injury, the left-arm spinner completed his full quota of four overs, where he conceded 44 runs besides picking up one wicket.

Concussion substitute rule explained amid growing controversy

A concussion substitute in the Indian Premier League is allowed when a player suffers either a neck or head injury or a suspected concussion during the game. The rule reveals that a team can request a replacement who must be a like-for-like substitute for the injured player, which means that the replacement should have a similar role and the same skills.

Santner, being the bowling all-rounder, can’t bring Will Jacks into the side and could only have Thakur in the eleven. The bowling all-rounder from Mumbai was approved because the match officials agreed on a suitable player. The team has dropped to the eighth position in the points table.