Mumbai, April 27: The Mumbai Indians (MI) have confirmed the inclusion of South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj in the squad for IPL 2026, replacing Mitchell Santner. Santner is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained during the last match against Chennai Super Kings while attempting to catch a ball near the boundary. Maharaj has joined the team for a fee of ₹75 lakhs.
An official statement from the Indian Premier League noted, “Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed South African spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, who is out of IPL 2026 due to a shoulder injury. Santner’s injury occurred during MI’s previous home game against Chennai Super Kings. Maharaj is an experienced left-arm spinner and recently participated in a T20 series against New Zealand. He has played two IPL matches, representing Rajasthan Royals in 2024, and has joined MI for ₹75 lakhs.”
Maharaj is one of South Africa’s most experienced spinners across all formats. Known for his precise control and ability to apply consistent pressure, he has maintained his place in the Proteas team since his international debut in 2016.
He was selected for the T20 World Cup 2021 despite having no prior T20 international experience. Maharaj made his debut as captain against Sri Lanka, taking a wicket with his very first delivery in this format.
At 36 years old, Keshav Maharaj has claimed 218 wickets in 62 Test matches, while in 56 ODIs, he has taken 73 wickets. In T20 internationals, he has secured 55 wickets across 54 matches. During IPL 2024, he played two matches for Rajasthan Royals, taking two wickets. Besides the IPL, Maharaj has also competed in SA20, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Bangladesh Premier League.
As of now, Mumbai Indians sit ninth in the points table, having lost five out of seven matches in IPL 2026. To remain in contention for the playoffs, MI must deliver outstanding performances in their upcoming matches.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment