Mumbai Indians Name New Captain for CSK IPL 2025 Match With Hardik Pandya Suspended

Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, 5-times champions Mumbai Indians have today announced Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the team in their opening match against Chennai Super Kings on 23rd March, Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Hardik Pandya will miss the first match due to suspension for the team’s slow over-rate against LSG during the previous season of the Indian Premier League. The offence will carry forward in this season as well.

Hence, in Hardik Pandya’s absence, the management of Mumbai Indians have decided to turn towards the current Indian T20 team skipper Suryakumar Yadav to lead the side.

“Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match,” Hardik Pandya was quoted as saying by the Times of India ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings.

“I am lucky that I have three captains playing with me Rohit (Sharma), Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) and (Jasprit) Bumrah. They always place an arm around my shoulder and are there when I need any help,” said Pandya.

I didn’t know the sequences at that time: Hardik Pandya

The Indian all-rounder was also asked about whether the rules of carrying the previous season offence forward in the upcoming season. In that case, the Mumbai Indians skipper said, “That is out of my control.”

“Last year what occurred was part of the sport, we were one and a half or two minutes late in the last over. I didn’t know the consequences at that time. It’s unfortunate, but rules say this. So I have to go with the rules. Next year they will continue with this rule or not, that is up to the higher authorities,” he added.

Suryakumar Yadav has led the Indian side across 23 occasions where India won 18 games, losing just 4 out of that. While Hardik Pandya set to make his return against Gujarat Titans on March 29, Suryakumar Yadav will take the charge ahead of the upcoming clash against Chennai Super Kings.