Shardul Thakur made an unexpected appearance with the bat for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 on Thursday, stepping in during the second innings after Mitchell Santner was forced out due to concussion. The moment came with Mumbai already under pressure as the chase unfolded following a late burst of dismissals from Noor Ahmad, while Sanju Samson’s milestone knock earlier powered CSK to a formidable total.
Key takeaways
- Shardul Thakur entered the contest as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner after the CSK player was injured while attempting a catch in the first innings.
- Thakur was not included in Mumbai’s starting XI and also was not selected as the impact player; Danish Malewar had already been used as the impact option in place of Allah Ghazanfar.
- Noor Ahmad struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Hardik Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford, prompting Thakur’s arrival in the 13th over of the second innings.
- Sanju Samson completed his fifth IPL century on the final ball of the innings with a boundary off Krish Bhagat, finishing unbeaten on 101 off 54 as CSK reached 207/6.
- AM Ghazanfar and Ashwani Kumar shared two wickets apiece for Mumbai, while Jasprit Bumrah returned 1/31.
How Thakur came into the match for Mumbai
Shardul Thakur was called upon to bat for Mumbai Indians in their match versus Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 on Thursday. The crucial detail was that he did not feature in Mumbai’s playing lineup from the start, nor was he named as the impact player. Instead, Danish Malewar was already deployed as the impact batter in place of Allah Ghazanfar.
Thakur’s entry happened in the thirteenth over of the second innings. He walked out after Noor Ahmad dismissed Hardik Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford on successive balls. At the time of the report, Mumbai were 95 for 7.
His inclusion was tied directly to Santner’s injury. Mitchell Santner suffered the blow during the first innings while trying to take a catch, which led to Thakur being used as the concussion substitute. Before his injury, Santner had taken one wicket and conceded 44 runs in his four overs.
Samson’s century steers CSK to 207/6
Earlier, Sanju Samson delivered a major milestone for Chennai Super Kings, recording his fifth IPL century. He reached the mark on the very last ball of the innings, finishing with a boundary off Krish Bhagat.
This was Samson’s second hundred of the season, his second for Chennai Super Kings, and the fifth overall in the IPL. He carried his bat through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 101 from 54 deliveries, as CSK posted 207 for 6. While Samson stayed till the end, wickets continued to fall at the other end.
In his innings, Samson struck 10 fours and cleared the ropes for six sixes.
Mumbai’s bowling response
When Mumbai Indians took the field, AM Ghazanfar and Ashwani Kumar each accounted for two wickets. Jasprit Bumrah contributed with one wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 31.
