Suryakumar Yadav will captain Mumbai Indians (MI) in their first game of IPL 2025, as regular captain Hardik Pandya will be serving a one-match suspension. This ban is a result of the team’s slow over-rate during their final league match in IPL 2024.
Mahela Jayawardene, the head coach of MI, confirmed in a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday that Suryakumar would lead the team for the opening game. He stated, ‘We have received official communication that [Hardik] has to miss the first game,’
Hardik mentioned that he was unaware of the penalties for maintaining a slow over-rate in the previous season’s game. ‘What happened last year is part of the game. We bowled the last over about one and a half to two minutes late. I wasn’t aware of the consequences at that time,’ Hardik explained. He added, ‘It’s unfortunate, but the rules are the rules. I will comply with the process. Regarding whether they will continue with this rule next season, I believe that is for the higher authorities to decide and see what is best.’
Hardik said about Suryakumar: ‘When I’m not available, he is the best option to lead in this format.’
Mumbai Indians are set to play their first match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 23. Besides Hardik, they will also be missing Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from a lower-back injury since January. It is anticipated that Bumrah will be absent for more than just the first match.
Hardik was penalized due to MI’s slow over-rate in their last IPL 2024 league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). As this was his third such offense in the season, he received a one-game suspension for the next IPL match and was fined INR 30 lakh.
Hardik will return for MI’s second match, which is also an away game, against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on March 29. Mumbai’s first home game is on March 31, where they will play against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Following this, they have two more matches in the first week of April: against LSG in Lucknow on April 4 and at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.
Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom in IPL 2024, winning only four out of fourteen matches.
