Revealed: Why is Mitchell Santner not playing today's match for MI against LSG in IPL 2025?

The Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians are locking horns against the Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants in Match No. 45 of the ongoing IPL 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians made two changes in the playing XI for the home game, as Vignesh Puthur and Mitchell Santner missed out on the game against the Lucknow Super Giants.

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Hardik Pandya reveals why Mitchell Santner isn't playing against LSG

At the toss, Hardik Pandya revealed that Mitchell Santner had a niggle on his finger and that’s why he is not playing in the MI versus LSG match in Mumbai. Karn Sharma replaced Mitchell Santner in the MI’s XI, while Corbin Bosch is making his much-awaited IPL debut with Vignesh Puthur being dropped.

Mitchell Santner injured his finger in MI’s previous IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 23. The left-arm spinner has so fara managed only four wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 8.28 in the tournament.

Like every season since 2010, the ongoing IPL 2025 also has a dedicated match for the ESA, and the ongoing MI versus LSG match is the celebration of the Reliance Foundation and Mumbai Indians' initiative Education and Sports for All (ESA) at the Wankhede Stadium.

It is being said that approximately 19,000 underprivileged children are attending the match and cheering for their favorite cricketers, including 200 specially abled children.

The ESA game has always been very special: Hardik Pandya

Speaking about the occasion, Hardik Pandya said, “The ESA game has always been very special; the initiative by Ambani has been very special, and it gives us added motivation. Let's give them (the children) a good show. The momentum always helps, but in IPL every game matters, so do the right things.”

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Meanwhile, LSG captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and invited the Mumbai Indians to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium as they want to utilize the surface. Pant has confirmed that Shardul Thakur is making way for Mayank Yadav against the hosts.

Pant said at the toss, “We are in a good space, and personally, it’s easier to put the team ahead, which makes it easier. Eventually you want to play good cricket and take every day as your first day. One change. Shardul Thakur is out, and Mayank Yadav is in.”

There's no more important part in the IPL: Kieron Pollard

Earlier, Mumbai Indians' batting coach Kieron Pollard stressed that every game in the IPL is equally important, not just the ones at the end. He said some teams find their rhythm early, while others pick up momentum later, like MI, which won their last four games in a row.

Pollard said that the Mumbai Indians are currently focusing on staying consistent throughout and qualifying for the IPL 2025 playoffs. The MI is currently sitting in the fifth spot in the points table with 10 points from nine games, and they are eager to add to their tally against the LSG.

Kieron Pollard stated, “Pressure is there in the first and the second half. In the second half, you build a bit of momentum. You tend to say now it's more important. But you have 14 games, and each and every game is important. Some teams gel faster than others, and they start off pretty quickly. Some teams build momentum and come into the back end. So, there's no more important part in the IPL. The most important thing is trying to qualify for the playoffs.”