Jayawardene Confident in Pandya’s Leadership Skills for IPL 2025

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: March 28, 2025
Last updated: March 31, 2025

Listen to this article

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, is set to captain the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This leadership stint marks Pandya’s first time leading the team since last year’s challenging season, characterized by hostile receptions that impacted MI’s overall performance. Despite this setback, Pandya’s return to the captaincy role has gained the backing of former Sri Lankan cricketer and MI head coach, Mahela Jayawardene.

Jayawardene has expressed confidence that the fans will move past last season’s controversies and support Pandya in his second chance at the helm. Pandya had missed MI’s season opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to a penalty for an over-rate offence from the previous season, which added to the team’s challenges.

In the time since last season, Pandya has managed to bolster his leadership resume by securing two International Cricket Council (ICC) titles, including the T20 World Cup in June of last year. This achievement underscores his capability to lead effectively under pressure and contribute significantly to a team’s success.

The upcoming match against the Gujarat Titans will be crucial for Pandya, as Mumbai Indians have not secured a win in Ahmedabad against them since IPL 2023. Along with Hardik Pandya’s leadership, the team is also expected to benefit from the return of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to join MI in April following rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.

Meanwhile, MI’s latest emerging player, Vignesh Puthur, made an impressive debut against the expectations. Coach Jayawardene, although not present during MI Cape Town’s 2024-25 SA20 stint, supervised Puthur’s exposure to advanced cricket training, helping refine his skills. Puthur’s debut performance with figures of 3 for 32 will add depth to MI’s bowling lineup this season.

Jayawardene remains optimistic that Pandya’s accomplishments on the international stage will help fan sentiments evolve and rally behind his leadership. With such endorsements and a strong squad, MI aims to overcome past hurdles and emerge victorious in the forthcoming games.