Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, not playing his first match of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on March 23. The IPL schedule was recently announced, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)  playing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening game of IPL 2025.

Will Rohit Sharma Captain MI Against CSK? Hardik Pandya Suspended for IPL 2025 Opener

Hardik's suspension is due to a slow over-rate offence from IPL 2024. During MI’s last league match against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2024, the team took too long to complete their overs. Since it was their third offence of the season, Hardik was fined ₹30 lakh and banned for one match, which carries over to IPL 2025 first match against RCB.

Hardik Pandya to miss MI’s IPL 2025 opener vs CSK due to a one-match ban for repeated over-rate offences last season. pic.twitter.com/s7Mg8ayVW6

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) February 16, 2025

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With Hardik unavailable, MI needs a stand-in captain for their first game. Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are possible choices. Rohit, who led MI to five IPL titles, was replaced by Hardik as captain ahead of IPL 2024. The decision wasn’t well received by fans, and MI ended up finishing last in the tournament. moving from past, MI will be focused on making a fresh start and aiming for their sixth IPL title. Hardik will return to lead the team in their second match against Gujarat Titans on March 29.

MI full squad:

Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Angad Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.