Mumbai Indians (MI) will be without their regular skipper Hardik Pandya in their IPL 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 at Chepauk, Chennai. Stepping up in his absence, Suryakumar Yadav has been confirmed as MI’s captain for the first match.
Why is Hardik Pandya Missing the First Match?
Hardik Pandya will serve a one-match ban due to MI’s slow over-rate in their IPL 2024 final league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Since this was his third offence of the season, he faces an automatic suspension as per IPL’s over-rate regulations.
Addressing the issue, Pandya explained:
“Last year, what happened was just part of the sport. We bowled about one or two minutes late, and at that time, I wasn’t aware of the consequences. It is unfortunate, but rules are rules. Whether this rule stays next year is up to the higher authorities.”
Suryakumar Yadav – The Ideal Choice as Captain
MI’s decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the opening game was confirmed by both Pandya and head coach Mahela Jayawardene during a pre-season press conference in Mumbai.
“Surya leads India as well. When I’m not there, he is the ideal choice,” Pandya stated.
Jayawardene also reaffirmed the BCCI’s communication about Pandya’s ban, stating:
“Yes, we’ve been officially informed that Hardik has to miss the first match. Surya will lead the team, and we are looking forward to that.”
Suryakumar Yadav Recent Form and Leadership Experience
Suryakumar Yadav recently captained India T20I team in a home series against England, securing a 4-1 victory. However, his batting form was not particularly strong, as he managed just 38 runs in five matches.
Despite his dip in form, MI remains confident in his leadership skills.
Hardik Pandya on Captaincy and Senior Leadership in MI
Hardik, who was retained by MI for ₹16.35 crore, expressed gratitude for having multiple experienced leaders in the squad, including Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.
“I’m lucky to have three captains (himself, Rohit, and Surya) who have led India in different formats. Their experience is always available for me to rely on.”
Jasprit Bumrah Also Set to Miss First Game
Adding to MI’s challenges, Jasprit Bumrah is also set to miss the first match due to injury. His absence will be a major setback for MI’s bowling attack as they take on MS Dhoni’s CSK in the high-stakes season opener.
With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, MI will aim for a strong start to their IPL 2025 campaign despite missing two key players.
