Why is Mitchell Santner not playing today’s MI vs LSG game?

Match number 45 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Ahead of the game on Sunday afternoon, MI started in fifth place with LSG in sixth. Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bowl first on what was a hot afternoon in Mumbai. The hosts made two changes to their side as Mitchell Santner and Vignesh Puthur missed the game. 

Veteran spinner Karn Sharma was back in the side and South African player Corbin Bosch made his IPL debut. MI skipper Hardik Pandya revealed that Santner had suffered a small injury to his finger. The Kiwi left-arm spinner has been in decent form with the ball and was a key part of MI’s four successive wins. 

For LSG fans there was massive news as Mayank Yadav was given his first start of the season. The right-arm pacer had joined the team recently after getting cleared by the NCA following a lengthy injury layoff. Yadav came in for Shardul Thakur, who has been one of the best bowlers for LSG this season. 

Chance for both sides to get back into playoff spots

Lucknow Super Giants come into the game on the back of their superior record against their opponents. MI and LSG have played each other seven times, with Pant's side winning six of those encounters. In their first meeting this season, LSG beat Mumbai by 12 runs at home. Since then MI’s form has seen a steady rise, while LSG have won three out of the five games. 

Mayank Yadav’s return to the team will give a much-needed boost for Lucknow, who also have Avesh Khan and Prince Yadav as the pacers. David Miller has been named in the impact players bench and could come later in the game when Lucknow are chasing. The onus will also be on Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Rathi, who have managed to pick key wickets. 

For MI, the fans will hope that Rohit Sharma can keep his form with the bat going. The former MI skipper has scored 146 runs in his last two matches with two fifties. In his last game at the Wankhede Stadium, the 37-year-old scored 76 not out vs Chennai Super Kings. As far as bowling is concerned, Corbin Bosch will play a key role in the death overs along with Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.