IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya confirms Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians against CSK

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav will lead the franchise in their opening match against Chennai Super Kings. Pandya will miss the opening clash against the arch-rivals due to a slow over-rate offense, which he commited in the last season.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has the experience of leading India at the top level and has done a fantastic job as a leader. In 23 T20Is, SKY has led India to victory in 18 matches.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians finished IPL 2024 as the wooden spooners with only four wins in 14 games and they would look to get off to a winning start in IPL 2025.

“Surya leads India as well. When I am not there he is the ideal choice,” Pandya said during MI’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene also confirmed that BCCI has communicated to them regarding Pandya’s ban.

“Yeah, we’ve been officially communicated that he has to miss so like Hardik said, Sura will lead the team, and we’re looking forward to that,” Jayawardene said at the press conference.

Pandya said he is confident regarding his leadership after a poor season in IPL 2024. 

“I’m very confident. I was confident back then. I was confident when I was playing champion trophy. I’m confident now. So if you ask me about my confidence, it’s always going to be high,” Hardik said when asked about his captaincy.

When asked about having the likes of SKY, Rohit Sharma, Hardik said: I’m lucky that I have three captains who are playing with me. So, yeah, it adds more and more experience for me that if I required help, I know that there are three different minds who have led India for different formats, and with so many years of experience, can be always there and put can they can put the armor around my shoulder and always be there for help. So I look at it that way.”

Pandya is coming on the back of a successful run in the Champions Trophy and he would look to lead from the front. Mumbai Indians would begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.