Mumbai Indians’ talismanic batter Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday.
The five-time champions regular captain Hardik Pandya is serving one-match suspension for his team’s over-rate offense in the last season of the IPL.
“Surya leads India as well. When I am not there he is the ideal choice,” Pandya said during MI’s pre-season press conference.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that the BCCI had communicated the one-match ban on Pandya to the team, owing to slow over-rate violations.
In the debut year as captain, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the table after winning only four matches and losing 10.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan coach didn’t give any time frame for the return of their pace bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. He is currently recovering from the back injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence at Bengaluru.
“Jasprit Bumrah is at the NCA. We have to wait and see their feedback on him. At the moment it is going well, the progress is on a day to day basis,” said Jayawardene during MI’s pre-season press meet here on Wednesday.
“He is in good spirits, and not having him is a challenge. He is the best bowler in the world,” he added.
Bumrah has been sidelined since the last Test against Australia in January, last year. It is likely that the fast bowler will link with the franchise in the first week of April.
“I am lucky that I have three captains playing with me – Rohit, Surya and Bumrah. They always place an arm around my shoulder and are there when I need any help,” said Pandya.