IPL 2026:The Mumbai Indians (MI) camp has received a significant boost as they prepare for their second fixture of IPL 2026. Following a clinical six-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, the five-time champions are set to welcome a high-profile international leader into their ranks.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has officially joined the squad in Delhi, just in time for the highly anticipated clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this Saturday.
Will He Feature in the MI vs DC XI?
According to reports from Cricbuzz, Santner arrived at the MI base on Thursday after completing his international commitments. The veteran all-rounder was a notable absentee during Mumbai’s season opener, as he was busy leading the Black Caps to the T20 World Cup 2026 final. While India eventually trumped the Kiwis to the trophy, Santner’s tactical acumen and form remain at a career-high.
Acquired for £200,000 (2 Crore INR), Santner is widely regarded as one of the most underrated assets in T20 cricket. Though he may not always be the most flamboyant player on the field, his ability to control the middle overs with his left-arm spin and contribute handy runs lower down the order makes him an invaluable “insurance policy” for the Mumbai franchise.
From CSK Legend to MI’s Tactical Weapon
Santner’s journey in the IPL has taken a fascinating turn. After making his debut in 2019 and spending five successful seasons with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he moved to the Mumbai Indians in 2025.
During his stint in the league, he has proven his worth as a defensive specialist, famously boasting an economy rate that often chokes the opposition’s scoring rate. While Mumbai’s playing XI currently looks settled after their win on Saturday, Santner provides a world-class alternative to Mayank Markande or Allah Ghazanfar, especially on the slower surfaces expected in Delhi.
MI Waiting for Will Jacks
With Santner’s arrival, the Mumbai Indians squad is nearly at full strength. The team is now only awaiting the arrival of explosive England all-rounder Will Jacks to complete their roster.
Mumbai Indians (Updated Squad): Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Naman Dhir, Ryan Rickelton, Sherfane Rutherford, and others.
