Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their IPL opener against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, with regular skipper Hardik Pandya sidelined by a one-match suspension for last season’s over-rate offences. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Suryakumar, a batting lynchpin, is India's T20 captain and recently led the team to a 4-1 series win over England at home.
Despite leading the team to victory, the 34-year-old right-handed batter struggled with the bat, scoring only 38 runs in five matches during the series.
"Surya leads India as well. When I am not there he is the ideal choice," Pandya said during MI's pre-season press conference.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the organisers of the cash-rich tournament, has communicated the one-match ban on Pandya to the team owing to three slow over-rate violations by his team last season.
MI had finished at the bottom of the heap, managing just four wins against 10 losses in 2024, which was Pandya's debut year as captain.
The star all-rounder took over captaincy from Rohit Sharma, who led the side to five IPL titles but was struggling at that stage.
Mumbai Indians' concerns go beyond captaincy. Jayawardene said he's unable to provide a timeline for Jasprit Bumrah’s return. The Sri Lankan legend conceded that the pacer’s absence will be a significant “challenge” for the team in IPL 2025.
Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and will miss the initial matches of the tournament.
“Jasprit Bumrah is at the NCA, and we are waiting for their feedback on his progress. So far, things are going well, and his recovery is being monitored on a day-to-day basis,” Jayawardene said during Mumbai Indians’ pre-season press conference on Wednesday.
With PTI Inputs
