IPL 2025: Why Will Hardik Pandya Miss MI's Opening Clash Against CSK?

Mumbai Indians will play the season opener of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 without their skipper, Hardik Pandya. He was found guilty of slow over-rate offences three times last season, suspended for a match, and fined ₹30 Lakh. 

The penalty came after Mumbai’s last game of the 2024 season, and hence, his suspension will come into effect in the first game of the 2025 season, which will be played against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on Sunday, March 23. 

While the franchise generally pay the over-rate fine for the players, Pandya will have to sit out the crucial encounter, and MI will have to play a new captain in that game. It’s probable that either one of Rohit Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side in Pandya’s absence. 

MI had one of their poorest seasons last year in IPL history as they finished last on the points table. With their captain already out from the first game this season, it won’t be easy to bounce back and begin their season on a high. The fact that they have to travel every alternate game this season and are playing just two consecutive games at their home ground will only increase the challenges.