Suryakumar Yadav Captain for Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya Out due to Ban!|
Mumbai Indians (MI) regular captain Hardik Pandya will not play in the first match of IPL 2025, as he has got one match ban. He got this ban in the last match of IPL 2024 due to slow over rate. Therefore, Suryakumar Yadav will captain MI, when the team will play against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Hardik Pandya’s Ban
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed in a press meet in Mumbai that Hardik will miss the first match. He said, “We have been officially told that Hardik will have to miss the first match. So, Suryakumar will lead the team.”
Hardik said that he was not aware of the consequences of the slow over rate. He said,
This is beyond my control. What happened in the last season is a part of the sport. We had bowled the last over one or two minutes late. I was not aware of the consequences then.
This is unfortunate, but I have got a reprieve as per the rules. Whether this rule will continue in the next season or not, it depends on the higher authorities. They will see what best can be done.
Surya also leads India in T20s. When I am not there, then this format is the ideal choice.”
Schedule of MI’s first match
First Match: MI vs CSK, Chennai (23 March)
Apart from Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah will also not play, as he is recovering from a lower back injury since January. Bumrah may miss more than one match.
Second Match: MI vs Gujarat Titans (GT), Ahmedabad (29 March)
Hardik will return in this match.
Third Match: MI vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai (31 March)
Fourth Match: MI vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Lucknow (4 April)
Fifth Match: MI vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mumbai (7 April)
Why did Hardik get a ban?
Hardik got a slow over rate against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the last league match of IPL 2024 Because of this he was penalized. This was his third offence of the season, so he got one match banned and 30 lakh fine.
MI’s performance in IPL 2024
MI had shown poor performance in IPL 2024. They won only 4 matches out of 14 matches and finished in last position.
