Suryakumar To Lead Mumbai In IPL Opener Against Chennai As Pandya Serves Ban

Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League opener against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday while regular skipper Hardik Pandya serves a one-match ban.

Mumbai's slow over-rate in their final league game last year was there third offence of the season, which incurred a one-match suspension for Pandya.

"That is out of my control," all-rounder Pandya told reporters in a pre-tournament press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

"We bowled the last over one-and-a-half or two minutes late. At that point I didn't know the consequences.

"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."

Mumbai are spoilt for choice though when it comes to leadership.

Apart from India Test and one-day captain Rohit Sharma and national T20 skipper Suryakumar, Mumbai also boast pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has captained in Tests and T20 Internationals.

Bumrah will miss the early part of the league with a back injury he suffered in Australia earlier this year.

"I'm lucky that I have three captains who are playing with me," all-rounder Pandya said.

"I know that there are three different minds, who have led India in different formats and so many years of experience are always there."

Mumbai and Chennai are IPL's two most successful sides having claimed five titles each.

Head coach Mahela Jayawardene said Mumbai had identified the core group and added more experience to bid for a sixth IPL trophy.

"It's not an easy thing to win an IPL trophy, we all know that, and Mumbai has been successful delivering that," the former Sri Lanka captain said.

"We have seven guys in our main squad who have won IPL trophies with different franchises.

"As a coach, I'm trying to get that structure in place, get the best out of them, and then add the other elements that we need to add to be a bit more different."

Pandya will be back in the team for Mumbai's second game against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 29.

The five-time champions will play their first home match of the new season against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 31.

MI had finished last in IPL 2024 after winning only four out of 14 games.

The IPL 2025 gets underway on Saturday, March 22, when Kolkata Knight Riders hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens.

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