Santner joins Mumbai Indians squad in Delhi

Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinning all-rounder, has joined the Mumbai Indians squad for the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He linked up with the squad in New Delhi on Thursday.

His arrival strengthens an already strong Mumbai Indians squad, which kick-started its IPL 2026 campaign with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders last Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium. Santner had sought permission from the MI management to join the squad a little late.

The MI squad practised at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday night, but Santner was not part of it as he had arrived in the capital only in the evening. He is, however, expected to be available for MI's next game, set to be played against Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon.

Considered one of the best all-rounders in world cricket currently, Santner had led New Zealand to the final of the recent T20 World Cup. In the World Cup, Santner picked up two wickets at an impressive economy of 6.60 and scored 120 runs at a strike rate of 142.85.

Santner was a regular in the MI XI last year, when he took 10 wickets in 13 games, but more crucially, he bowled at an economy rate of sub-8 (7.92), which was very effective considering that last year was a high-scoring season, with 52 200-plus totals recorded.

With the other overseas spinner, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, not looking impressive in the first game (0 for 51 in four overs), Santner's arrival is welcome news for the five-time champions.

MI now await the other overseas player, Will Jacks. The England all-rounder, like Santner, had sought permission to join the squad late due to personal reasons. Though there is no immediate information on when Jacks will join, it is expected to be within a week.