While other teams are making their strategies for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians has suffered a big setback as their captain Hardik Pandya has been suspended from playing the first match of the glitzy league. Hardik Pandya will miss the MI's IPL 2025 campaign opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 due to violations of the slow over-rate rule incurred on him and his team in last match of the previous edition.
Three stars who could captain MI in Hardik Pandya’s absence in IPL 2025 opener
However, Pandya's absence necessitates a swift and effective leadership solution for the team. The Mumbai Indians now face the crucial task of identifying a suitable replacement for the star all-rounder and two-time ICC trophy winner. Fortunately, the team has a roster filled with capable players, offering a range of strong candidates to step into the captaincy role during Pandya's suspension.
Rohit Sharma
While a return to captaincy for Rohit Sharma seems improbable, given his relinquishment of the role last season, his extensive experience and proven leadership remain undeniable assets. Having steered the Mumbai Indians for over a decade, Rohit's captaincy tenure is marked by an impressive five IPL titles, secured in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. This raises the intriguing possibility of the team management considering him as a temporary leader for the initial two matches, especially given his unparalleled experience within the squad. Rohit Sharma's record as Mumbai Indians captain speaks for itself. In the 158 matches he led the franchise, he secured 87 victories, suffered 67 defeats, and saw four matches end in ties. This translates to an overall win percentage of 55.06 per cent which proves his captaincy acumen.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav emerges as a prime candidate to fill the captaincy void created by Hardik Pandya's suspension. The Indian T20 specialist batter possesses valuable leadership experience, notably stepping into the role of India's T20I captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Furthermore, Yadav has demonstrated his captaincy capabilities within the Mumbai Indians franchise itself, leading the team to a decisive five-wicket victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2023 season. Yadav's record as India's T20I skipper is undeniably impressive. In his 23 matches at the helm, he has secured 18 wins, suffered only four losses, and tied one game. This translates to an outstanding win percentage of 78.26%, solidifying his credentials as a highly effective leader in the T20 format. His proven track record and recent experience make him a compelling choice to guide the Mumbai Indians through the initial two matches of the IPL season.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is another frontrunner who could lead MI in campaign opener.His reputation built on consistent match-winning performances with the ball, regardless of the phase of the innings. His composure and high game intelligence have led to suggestions that he could serve as a valuable reserve leader for the team, offering a contrasting style to the more aggressive all-rounder. While Bumrah's captaincy experience in the Indian Premier League is limited, his leadership qualities have been evident in Test cricket.
Notably, he captained the Indian team in a Test match against England, demonstrating his ability to guide the team under pressure. His successful leadership in Test matches, particularly his role in India's victory against England, has sparked curiosity about his potential strategies and tactics in the shorter format. Fans are eager to witness how his calm and calculated approach might translate into impactful leadership within the fast-paced environment of T20 cricket.
MI's squad for IPL 2025
Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult (Rs. 12.50 crore), Naman Dhir (Rs. 5.25 crore), Robin Minz (Rs. 65 lakh), Karn Sharma (Rs. 50 lakh), Ryan Rickelton (Rs. 1 crore), Deepak Chahar (Rs. 9.25 crore), Allah Ghazanfar (Rs. 4.80 crore), Will Jacks (Rs. 5.25 crore), Ashwani Kumar (Rs. 30 lakh), Mitchell Santner (Rs. 2 crore), Reece Topley (Rs. 75 lakh), Krishnan Shrijith (Rs. 30 lakh), Raj Angad Bawa (Rs. 30 lakh), Satyanarayana Raju (Rs. 30 lakh), Bevon Jacobs (Rs. 30 lakh), Arjun Tendulkar (Rs. 30 lakh), Lizaad Williams (Rs. 75 lakh), Vignesh Puthur (Rs. 30 lakh).