IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav to Captain MI Opener vs CSK as Hardik Pandya Sits Out

Mumbai Indians (MI) will have a new captain for their first match of IPL 2025. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in the opening game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23.

Why is Hardik Pandya Not Playing?

Hardik Pandya, the official captain of MI, has been banned for the first match. The ban is due to a slow overrate issue from last season. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that the team was informed about Hardik’s suspension, so he will miss the first game in Chennai.

Suryakumar Yadav as Captain

Suryakumar Yadav is not new to captaincy. He has led India’s T20 team before. His experience will help MI in their first match. Mumbai Indians had a tough IPL 2024 season, finishing last in the points table. They will hope for a strong start this year.

Hardik Pandya’s Thoughts

Speaking at a press conference, Hardik said, “Suryakumar Yadav is India’s T20I captain. So, it is ideal for him to lead MI in my absence.”

Hardik also spoke about having experienced players around him. “I am lucky that I have three captains playing with me—Rohit, Surya, and Bumrah. They support me whenever I need help,” he said.

Hardik also shared his thoughts on MI’s squad. “Getting Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar was very important for us. We wanted experienced bowlers who can handle pressure.”

Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy

MI retained Hardik Pandya for ₹16.35 crore. However, MI struggled under his leadership in IPL 2024. The team won only four out of 14 matches and finished last with just 8 points.

Mumbai Indians will now look to make a strong comeback in IPL 2025. The first match against CSK will be a big test for Suryakumar Yadav as captain.