AVNews24Desk
Mumbai: Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.
Regular skipper Hardik Pandya is serving a one-match suspension for over-rate offences from the previous season.
Suryakumar, who also leads India’s T20 side, recently guided the national team to a 4-1 series victory over England at home.
However, his batting form during the series was underwhelming, with just 38 runs across five innings.
“Surya leads India as well. When I’m not there, he’s the ideal choice,” Pandya said during MI’s pre-season press conference.
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that the BCCI had officially communicated Pandya’s suspension due to three slow over-rate violations last season.
Mumbai Indians had a disappointing 2024 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches.
It was Pandya’s debut season as MI captain after taking over from Rohit Sharma, who had led the franchise to five IPL titles but was struggling with form at the time.
