Mumbai Indians (MI) will kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on March 23. Adding to their challenge, MI has a long-standing "custom" of failing to win their opening match since 2012. It remains to be seen if they can finally break this jinx.?
However, amid all this, MI will also be without Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from an injury at the NCA, and skipper Hardik Pandya, who will miss the first match due to a one-game suspension for an over-rate offense in the last season. As a result, Suryakumar Yadav will take over captaincy duties, as confirmed by Hardik during a press conference on Wednesday, where he was joined by MI's head coach, Mahela Jayawardene.?
With Suryakumar Yadav's form in question, leading the team against CSK will be an additional challenge. When asked by India Times about MI's playing combination, head coach Mahela Jayawardene said:?
"To be honest, it's still tough to define exactly which route we're going to take. Especially with Booms (Jasprit Bumrah) not being in the starting XI and Hardik missing the first game, I have a few ideas in mind. I've discussed them with HP (Hardik Pandya) and the core group, and I also had a really good chat with Ro (Rohit Sharma) about our approach. Once I get to Chennai, I'll assess the wicket and determine our best combination—whether we go with three or four overseas players."?
He added: "But that's the beauty of the IPL—every game presents different challenges. Fortunately, we have an experienced team with a diverse skill set, which helps us navigate these situations effectively. I'm confident that, sooner rather than later, we will settle into a consistent combination. However, given the injuries and key players missing the first game, we need to carefully figure out the best setup."?
Mumbai Indians (MI) head into IPL 2025 with a strong foundation, retaining their five key Indian players—Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma—while strengthening their squad at the mega auction.?
MI will start their campaign with two away fixtures—against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT)—before returning to Wankhede Stadium for their first home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31.?
Hardik Pandya had a special message for MI's loyal fanbase, the Paltan: "Iss baar koi aur colour nahi dikhna chahiye (No other colour should be seen this year). Just make noise. When I come out to bat, bowl, or for the toss—just make noise!"?
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off on March 22, 2025, in Kolkata, with defending champions KKR taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).?
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