Suryakumar Yadav will captain Mumbai Indians in their first game of the 2025 Indian Premier League season, with Hardik Pandya serving a one-match ban he picked up in their last match of the 2024 campaign. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Mumbai Indians finished bottom of the 2024 IPL, winning just four of their 14 matches and losing 10, two points behind second-bottom Punjab Kings.
"We have been officially communicated that he [Hardik] has to miss [the first game]," said Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene during a press conference on Wednesday.
The ban for Hardik comes as a result of maintaining a slow over-rate in last season's final game of the season against Lucknow Super Giants, who won by 18 runs. Given that it was his third offence of the season, he is now forced to sit out a match and was handed a fine.
Hardik, though, has argued that he was not aware of the rules surrounding over rates.
"That is out of my control. Last year what occurred is part of the sport. We bowled the last over one-and-a-half or two minutes late. At that point I didn't know the consequences," Hardik said.
"It is unfortunate, but the rules say it. I will have to go with the process. Next season, if they continue or not continue [with this rule], I think that is on the higher authorities. They can definitely see what best can be done.
"Surya, obviously, leads India [in T20Is] as well. When I'm not there, he is the ideal choice in this format."
India T20 captain Suryakumar will lead his IPL side against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, though they will also be without bowler Jasprit Bumrah who is recovering from a back injury that has kept him out since January.
Hardik, meanwhile, will be available again for Mumbai Indians' second game, away to Gujarat Titans.
