Hardik Pandya to miss Mumbai Indians' IPL 2025 opener against CSK
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Hardik Pandya will be unavailable for Mumbai Indians' IPL 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23, 2025, due to disciplinary reasons. The much-anticipated match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Pandya, the captain of Mumbai Indians, was recently fined INR 30 lakh for a slow over-rate violation during the team’s final match of the IPL 2024 group stage against Lucknow Super Giants. This was the third instance of his team committing a slow over-rate offense during the season, resulting in a fine and a one-match suspension under the IPL’s Code of Conduct.
As a result, Pandya will miss the opening fixture but will be available for the second match against Gujarat Titans on March 29.
With Pandya sidelined, Mumbai Indians will need to find a replacement captain for the match. Potential candidates include five-time IPL-winning captain Rohit Sharma, along with other senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav.
The 18th edition of IPL will kick off on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. Mumbai's fixture against CSK will be part of a double-header on March 23, followed by SunRisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals. The IPL 2025 final will take place on May 25 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
