IPL 2025: Why Suryakumar Yadav is captaining MI instead of Hardik Pandya against CSK? - Revealed

Suryakumar Yadav is captaining MI for the second time in his IPL career.

The El Clasico of the Indian Premier League (IPL) – the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) is currently underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Both legendary teams had underwhelming performances in IPL 2024, with CSK finishing fifth and MI ending at the bottom of the points table under new captain Hardik Pandya.

CSK brought back Ravi Ashwin at the IPL 2025 mega auction and now boast a strong spin lineup with Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad, and Shreyas Gopal.

Talking about the match, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first against Suryakumar Yadav-led MI. Bowling first, they would expect their spinners to weave their magic and restrict MI to a low total.

MI, on the other hand, have a strong batting lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar , Tilak Varma, and Will Jacks. However, they will miss key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

However, one scene which confused many fans during the toss was why Suryakumar walked out at toss for MI instead of their regular captain Hardik.

Why Suryakumar Yadav is captaining Mumbai Indians instead of Hardik Pandya against CSK?

Suryakumar is leading MI instead of Hardik Pandya in tonight’s match against CSK as the all-rounder is currently serving one-match suspension. Hardik received one-match suspension for his team’s multiple over-rate offense in the last IPL season, which carried into the ongoing season.

However, the BCCI has now changed penalties for slow over-rates, in which, captains won’t get be suspended very easily.

Suryakumar has led India in 22 T20I matches, winning 17, losing four, and one ending in a tie. He recently guided India to a dominant 3-1 victory in South Africa in November, followed by a 4-1 win against England in January.

CSK vs MI: Playing XI of both teams

CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed

MI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju

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