The IPL 2025, starting from 22 March, will begin on March 23, the campaign of Mumbai Indians. He has to play the first match against Chennai Super Kings. But Hardik Pandya will be outside from this match. Hardik Pandya has been made captain by Mumbai Indians. But, when he is out of the first match of the new season, then the big question is who will take his place? Who will take command of the team in their place? Hardik Pandya himself has come to the press conference and answered this big question. He has revealed the name of the player who will captain the first match of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.

Why will Hardik Pandya not play the first match?

Hardik Pandya has been sentenced to repeat the same mistake as a captain 3 times in the last season. In IPL 2024, he was found guilty of slow over rate 3 times, after which he was banned a match under IPL rules. Since he was found in the last match of Mumbai Indians in the last season, who was convicted of the slow over rate for the third time, then this time will be banned. And, this is the reason why he will be out of the first match of IPL 2025.

If not me, Suryakumar Yadav will be captain- Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya revealed the new captain at a press conference held in Mumbai with Mahela Jayawardene.

He said that if I do not live then Suryakumar Yadav can handle the reins in the first match. In the press conference, Hardik also talked about the challenge related to captaincy. He was asked that you captained many teams earlier, captaining Mumbai Indians than him is a bigger challenge. On this, Hardik said that it is not so. Yes, there is a legacy of Mumbai, which is a big challenge to handle.

Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in IPL history. He has captured the title most often.

But this is yet to be done under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. Hardik's name is undoubtedly an IPL title as a captain, but he won with Gujarat Titans.

But this is yet to be done under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. Hardik's name is undoubtedly an IPL title as a captain, but he won with Gujarat Titans.