Mumbai Indians (MI) star batter Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the captain for the team’s opening match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Regular skipper Hardik Pandya will miss the match due to a one-match ban imposed for an over-rate violation in IPL 2024.
Hardik Pandya Confirms Surya as Captain
During a recent media interaction, Hardik Pandya confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav will lead MI in their season opener at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on March 23. MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene also stated that the franchise was officially informed about Hardik’s ban, leaving Surya as the best option to take over leadership responsibilities.
“Surya has led India in T20Is before. He is an aggressive and fearless player, making him an exciting choice to lead MI,” said Pandya.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Leadership Record
While this will be Suryakumar’s second time captaining MI in the IPL, he has some leadership experience across various formats. Let’s take a look at his captaincy record:
Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy Stats
| Format | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I (India) | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 81.82% |
| IPL (Mumbai Indians) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Ranji Trophy (Mumbai) | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 16.66% |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Mumbai) | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 62.5% |
Why Surya is a Perfect Choice for MI Captaincy
- Proven Leadership: Led India in T20 series wins against Australia and England.
- Attacking Mindset: Encourages aggressive, fearless cricket.
- Senior Player: A core member of MI since 2018 with great understanding of team dynamics.
Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2025 Opener Details
- Match: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
- Date: March 23, 2025
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership in the high-pressure opener against CSK will be closely watched as fans eagerly anticipate MI’s performance under his captaincy.
