MI coach Mahela Jayawardene defends Shardul Thakur concussion sub call after CSK thrashing

Mumbai Indians (MI) found a loophole that many teams can exploit sometime in the future of the IPL.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) didn’t just lose heavily to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede. They started a fresh controversy on their hands. The match should be remembered for CSK scripting their biggest IPL win (by runs). However, it didn’t come without an interesting episode. MI found a loophole after how Shardul Thakur ended up as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner.

Santner’s injury happened right at the end of the first innings. Stationed at deep square leg, he flung himself forward to complete a low catch and landed awkwardly. With Jasprit Bumrah bowling those crucial yorkers in the 17th over, Kartik Sharma hit one right towards the deep square leg, where Santner dived forward and plucked a superb catch.

The New Zealander immediately grabbed his left shoulder, called for the physio, and walked off. He really felt the pain. He was later seen with his shoulder strapped and iced. At that point, nothing suggested a head injury serious enough to trigger a concussion protocol.

But things changed when MI came out to bat. Santner didn’t return, and Thakur was named as his replacement. That’s when people started asking how that was allowed. No one knew that it was going to happen until Thakur joined Suryakumar Yadav at the crease.

“He hit his head first”: Jayawardene defends MI’s call

MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene offered clarity after the game, insisting that there was more to the incident, as he said Santner hit his head first. Many viewers questioned that Santner was hit on his shoulder and not on his head. That way, he wouldn’t have been allowed for a concussion sub, as they are meant for only head-related injuries.

“Santner hit his head first, the neck and obviously, the shoulder as well. He then went for a scan. Once he got back, he was lying down. Yes, the ice was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable, so we took him for a scan in that situation,” Jayawardene said.

He also pointed out that MI did not take the decision alone. “We requested a concussion sub. It’s at the match referee and the umpires’ discretion. They allowed Shardul Thakur. It is what it is,” he added.

Technically, MI stayed within the rules. Santner’s head did make contact with the ground during the fall, even if briefly. That opened the door. And once that door is open, teams are allowed to bring in a like-for-like replacement. Thakur, as a bowling all-rounder, fits that category perfectly. In fact, Thakur is a lesser batter than Santner, who has upped his batting in last year or so.

However, it wasn’t as straightforward. The primary injury looked like a shoulder issue. Santner didn’t walk off holding his head. He walked off clutching his shoulder. Later visuals only doubled down on that. Which is why the move felt like MI using the rule to their advantage. Had the situation been different, things could’ve boiled down ugly. Thankfully for CSK, they choked MI out and the hosts couldn’t use the concussion sub in a winning role.

Bigger worry for MI: results, not just rules

Away from the controversy, Mumbai’s on-field problems continue to stack up. This loss wasn’t just another defeat. It was a 103-run hammering, their biggest in IPL history. At 29/3 in the Powerplay while chasing 208, the game was done early. “We have managed just four points from seven matches. Disappointed to have lost this game,” Jayawardene admitted. “We lost our rhythm in the two powerplays itself, first with the ball and then with the bat… As a team we all have to improve.“

Even the toss call didn’t go their way. MI chose to chase, backing their strength at home, but never got close. “We discussed and felt comfortable chasing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not,” he said.