Suryakumar Yadav to captain MI in season opener against CSK

Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 season opener against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. Regular skipper Hardik Pandya is unavailable for this fixture due to a one-match ban imposed on him at the end of last season due to slow over rate.

With Jasprit Bumrah also unavailable due to injury, Suryakumar's candidature isn't a surprise, especially since he has taken over the reins of T20I captaincy in the last year. Hardik confirmed the news of Suryakumar's captaincy for the CSK game at the pre-season press conference that he attended with head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

"Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match," revealed Pandya when asked who the stand-in skipper would be for the marquee clash. Mahela Jayawardene added to Pandya's disclosure. "Yes, we have been officially communicated that he has to miss. Like Hardik said, Surya will lead the team," the MI head coach said.

There are three regular captains in the Mumbai Indians camp, all with proven records. Rohit Sharma has captained India across all formats and currently leads the national team in Tests and ODIs. He also led Mumbai Indians for 11 seasons, from 2013 to 2023. Suryakumar is the current India skipper for T20Is, and then there is Jasprit Bumrah, who has captained India in Tests.

"I am lucky," Hardik said. "I have three captains who are playing with me. It adds more experience (to the side). If I require any help, I know that there are three different minds who have led India in different formats with so many years of experience." He then added, "They can put the arm around my shoulder and always be there for me. I look at it that way."

Asked about missing the first game, Pandya said he cannot comment on things that are out of his control.

"I think that is out of my control. Last year, what occurred was part of the sport. We bowled one and a half minutes or two minutes late. At that point of time, I didn't know the consequences, what could happen. It is unfortunate but I think the rules say that which means I have to go with the process," he remarked.

Pandya will be available for the second game of the season, away at Gujarat Titans. Mumbai Indians will then play their first home game at the Wankhede Stadium on March 31 against Kolkata Knight Riders.