IPL 2025: Who will lead MI in absence of Hardik Pandya against CSK? Revealed

Hardik Pandya will miss the Mumbai Indians’ first match against CSK due to the suspension.

On Wednesday, March 19, Mumbai Indians (MI) announced that Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their first match of the IPL 2025 season at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

The decision comes due to the suspension of MI’s regular skipper Hardik Pandya for his team’s over-rate offense in the last IPL season, which carries into the upcoming season.

Hardik confirmed the decision during the pre-season press conference on Wednesday, where he was accompanied by coach Mahela Jayawardene.

He said, “Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai in the first match.“

Suryakumar Yadav to lead Mumbai Indians in their season opener

The franchise announced Suryakumar as their captain for their season opener against CSK through a social media post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The post read, “SKY (CAPTAIN) for our opening match vs CSK“

𝗦𝗞𝗬 (CAPTAIN) for our opening match 🆚 CSK ✨💙#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/fSbtKgVrVV

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 19, 2025

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.

His IPL batting record includes 3,594 runs in 150 matches at a strike rate of 145, featuring two centuries and 24 half-centuries.

The franchise will also miss Jasprit Bumrah’s services in the first few weeks of the tournament due to a back injury. Notably, MI haven’t won their first match of an IPL season since 2012, and the absence of these superstars will make it even more challenging to change this stat.

After a few disappointing seasons, the team has acquired exciting names like Will Jacks, Trent Boult, and Deepak Chahar and will look to turn back the clock to their old glory days.

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