Hardik Pandya To Miss Mumbai Indians' IPL 2025 Opener Against Chennai Super Kings, Here's Why

Following a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, Mumbai Indians will hope to rectify things in IPL 2025. The five-time champions will face Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at the Chepauk Stadium.

Hardik Pandya Set To Serve One Match Suspension

Hardik Pandya will continue to lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 but the Indian star will not be a part of the opening encounter with CSK. BCCI slapped a one-match suspension on the MI skipper for maintaining a slow overrate against Lucknow Super Giants in the last group stage game.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Confirms Suryakumar Yadav Will Lead Mumbai Indians in First Their First IPL 2025 Match vs Chennai Super Kings

The MI skipper was also fined 30 lakh while the rest of the teammates were also the subject of BCCI punishment.

An IPL statement read,  "As it was his team's third offense of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offenses, Pandya was fined Rs. 30 lakh and banned from playing the team's next match.
“The rest of the members of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either Rs.12 lakh or 50 percent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser"

Also Read: MI vs CSK, IPL 2025: Date, Time, Full Squads, Predicted XIs And List Of Impact Players

Suryakumar Yadav To Lead Mumbai Indians Against CSK

In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match against CSK. Hardik confirmed the development in the press conference. He said, “Suryakumar Yadav is India's T20I captain. So, it is ideal for him to lead the MI team in my absence in the first game against CSK. I am lucky that I have three captains playing with me -- Rohit, Surya & Bumrah. They always place an arm around my shoulder & are there when I need any help.”

MI finished at the bottom of the IPL 2024 table while CSK also failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs. Both teams have undergone significant changes in the last one year and will hope to get their strategy on point this time.