IPL 2018: CSK to miss services of Mitchell Santner

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that Santner felt some discomfort while playing, and scans showed a “bone defect” had deteriorated.

The in-form Mitchell Santner had been picked up by CSK, during the IPL auction, for ₹50 lakh, and was expected to play a key role for the team. (File Photo)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will miss the services of Mitchell Santner in the upcoming IPL season, as the New Zealand all-rounder has been ruled out of action for about nine months, due to a bone defect in his knee, requiring surgery.

Santner was, on Wednesday, omitted from New Zealand’s Test team, after scans showed he needed a surgery. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that Santner felt some discomfort while playing, and scans showed a “bone defect” had deteriorated.

READ: Santner out of England Tests as Watling returns

The in-form Santner had been picked up by CSK, during the IPL auctions, for ₹50 lakh, and was expected to play a key role for the team.

“It is too early to decide now. We will take a call on the replacement for Santner in due course, after consulting with the head coach (Stephen Fleming) and captain (M.S. Dhoni),” a CSK official said.