New Zealand Captain Mitchell Santner Out for at Least a Month Due to Shoulder Injury

Mumbai. New Zealand's limited-overs captain Mitchell Santner will be out of action for at least a month due to a shoulder injury. The scan report of 34-year-old Santner, who is playing IPL 2026 for Mumbai Indians, showed a 'Grade Three ACL Shoulder Injury'.

After the injury was detected, he returned to New Zealand from India this week. New Zealand Cricket has stated that after consulting a specialist doctor on Friday, he has been advised at least one month of rest and rehabilitation.

Santner injured his left shoulder while fielding in the match against Chennai Super Kings on April 23. He had joined the Mumbai team a bit late due to personal reasons and although he bowled in that match, he could not bat. Shardul Thakur batted in place of Santner.

This season, he took 5 wickets and scored 26 runs in two innings for Mumbai. Mumbai had bought him for 2 crore Indian Rupees in the 2025 auction.

With this injury, it is certain that Santner will miss the only Test against Ireland at the end of May and the first Test against England at Lord's in early June.

His participation in the remaining two Tests against England will be decided later. Santner, who played a significant role in taking New Zealand to the final of the T20 World Cup, is expected to return to the field by the ODI and T20 series against West Indies in July.

New Zealand is preparing to announce the team for the Ireland and England tours within a few days.