MUMBAI: The excitement is reaching fever pitch as the much-anticipated IPL 2025 season is set to commence this weekend. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the action-packed tournament, which promises thrilling encounters from the get-go.
The season opener will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens on 22nd March 2025. However, Mumbai Indians (MI) will begin their campaign under temporary leadership due to an unexpected setback.
Hardik Pandya Banned for Opening Match
As previously reported, MI skipper Hardik Pandya has been handed a one-match suspension following multiple over-rate violations in the 2024 season. The team fell short of the required over rate during their final game of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium.
Given it was his third offence last season, Pandya was also fined 30% of his match fee. As a result, he will miss MI’s opening fixture, paving the way for an interim captain to step in.
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Suryakumar Yadav to Lead Mumbai Indians in Pandya’s Absence
Mumbai Indians have confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav will take charge of the team for their first match before Pandya resumes his role as captain.
“Surya leads India as well. When I’m not there, he is the ideal choice in this format and an exciting one too,” Pandya stated during MI’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Reflecting on his suspension, Pandya added, “That is out of my control. What happened last year is a part of the sport. We ended up bowling the final over 2-2.5 minutes late, and at the time, I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences.
“It was unfortunate, but rules are rules, and I have to abide by them. Whether the penalty should carry over to the next season is for the higher authorities to decide.”
A Big Opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led India to a 4-1 T20 series victory over England, will now have the chance to showcase his leadership skills on the IPL stage.
With his aggressive batting style and tactical acumen, it will be intriguing to see how MI performs under his guidance in their first fixture. Fans will be eagerly watching as he takes on this new responsibility and leads one of the most successful IPL franchises onto the field.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying start to IPL 2025!
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