Why did Hardik Pandya receive a one-match IPL ban for the first game?

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be led by Suryakumar Yadav in their opening game of IPL 2025, as regular captain Hardik Pandya serves a one-match suspension. Pandya’s ban stems from an over-rate violation during MI’s final game of the IPL 2024 season.

Confirming the development, MI's head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed the media in Mumbai, stating, "We have been officially informed that Hardik will have to miss the first game. As a result, Suryakumar will step in as captain."

Pandya Reflects on the Suspension

Speaking about the suspension, Hardik admitted that he was unaware of the full consequences of the slow over-rate violation.

"What happened last season was beyond my control. We ended up bowling the final over a couple of minutes late, and at the time, I wasn’t aware of the repercussions," Hardik explained. "It's unfortunate, but the rules are in place, and I have to comply. Whether this regulation continues in the future is up to the higher authorities to decide."

Expressing confidence in Suryakumar’s leadership, Hardik added, "Surya already captains India in T20Is. With me unavailable, he is the best choice to lead the team in this format."

Mumbai Indians’ Opening Fixtures

MI kicks off their IPL 2025 campaign against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 23. Apart from Hardik’s absence, the team will also be without Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to recover from a lower-back injury sustained in January. Reports suggest Bumrah could miss multiple matches at the start of the season.

Hardik’s suspension results from MI's slow over-rate violation during their final IPL 2024 league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Having breached the rule for the third time in the season, he was handed a one-match suspension and fined INR 30 lakh.

He will return for MI’s second game on March 29, an away fixture against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. MI's first home game is scheduled for March 31, where they will host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The team will then face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow on April 4 and return home for a clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.

After a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, where MI finished at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches, the team will be eager to make a strong comeback under the leadership of Hardik Pandya—once he returns to action.