Mumbai Indians’ first IPL 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings will see Suryakumar Yadav as captain, as Hardik Pandya serves a one-match suspension. Pandya, the regular skipper, is penalized for slow over-rate offences from the previous season.
Suryakumar, who recently led India to a 4-1 T20 series win against England, will step up for MI. Though his form with the bat was underwhelming, managing only 38 runs in five matches, Pandya fully supports his leadership. “Surya leads India when I am not there, so he is the ideal choice,” Pandya stated in MI’s pre-season press conference.
Head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed the BCCI’s decision to suspend Pandya due to three over-rate violations last season. MI struggled in 2024, finishing last with just four wins from 14 matches.
Another challenge for MI will be the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from a back injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Jayawardene did not confirm when Jasprit Bumrah would return but said his progress is being monitored daily. The team hopes he will join them in early April.
Despite these setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic, saying he is fortunate to have experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Bumrah by his side. “I have three captains with me. They support me whenever I need help,” he added.
