In the 17th over, Mitchell Santner took a sharp low catch to dismiss Sanju Samson but injured his left shoulder in the process. Mumbai Indians replaced him with Shardul Thakur in the second innings due to suspected concussion, despite the visible shoulder injury. Santner’s head and neck were also affected in the fall, leading to dizziness and a failed balance test. The decision aligned with IPL rules, which allow for a concussion substitute based on the team doctor’s assessment. There was debate over whether Thakur was a like-for-like replacement for Santner, as they play different roles. However, the match referee approved the substitution as both players are categorized as all-rounders. While there was speculation about a “Serious injury replacement” rule, only concussion substitutes are allowed in the IPL. The move had little impact on the match outcome, as Mumbai Indians suffered a 103-run defeat, with Thakur contributing 6 runs off 12 balls.
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