Mumbai/Patiala, 20 March (Shahi)
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya will miss the team’s IPL 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping in to lead the five-time champions in his absence. Pandya confirmed this development during the pre-season press conference, stating, “Surya will be the ideal choice when I am not there.”
Why Is Hardik Pandya Missing the Match?
Pandya’s absence is due to a one-match ban resulting from MI’s slow-over rate violation in their final group-stage match against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024. This marked MI’s third over-rate offence in 14 matches last season, automatically triggering a suspension for the captain under IPL rules.
Hardik’s Captaincy and MI’s 2024 Performance
The 31-year-old all-rounder returned to MI last season after a successful stint with Gujarat Titans, where he led the team to the IPL title in 2022 and a final appearance in 2023. His homecoming was met with high expectations, but it came with a significant change—he replaced Rohit Sharma, MI’s five-time IPL-winning captain and a joint-record holder for most IPL titles alongside MS Dhoni. However, Hardik’s first season as MI captain was underwhelming, with the team finishing at the bottom of the IPL 2024 table, managing only four wins in 14 league games. Despite this, MI’s management retained him as captain for the 2025 season.
Recent Successes with India
While IPL 2024 was a struggle, Hardik enters the new season on a high note following standout performances for India. He played a key role with both bat and ball in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, serving as vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. His all-round brilliance continued last month, contributing significantly to India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. Currently ranked as the No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings, Hardik remains a vital asset for both MI and the national team.
