Mumbai Indians, led by Suryakumar Yadav, arrived in Chennai on Thursday evening ahead of their highly anticipated IPL 2024 opener against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.Star players Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma were among those who received a grand welcome at Chennai Airport. The five-time IPL champions will kick off their practice sessions at MA Chidambaram Stadium from Friday.
However, Mumbai will miss key pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, while Hardik Pandya will be unavailable for the opening match due to a one-game suspension for last season’s slow over-rate.
Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya was the first one seen coming out of the airport, followed by Tilak Varma, both of whom were retained by the franchise as part of the ‘core’ team.
Earlier, Hardik Pandya confirmed Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians (MI) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chepauk in Chennai on March 23.
MI skipper Hardik will miss the opening game as he will be serving a one-match ban after the side recorded a slow over-rate in their IPL 2024 final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), which was also his third offence of the season.
Surya leads India as well. When I am not there he is the ideal choice,” Pandya said during MI’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.
“I think that is something out of my control. Last year what occurred was part of the sport, I think we bowled one and a half or two minutes late. At that point of time I did not know the consequences of what could happen. It is unfortunate, but it is the rule. Now will they continue with this rule next year, I think it is up to the higher authorities. They can see into it, and how it can be done,” Pandya added.
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the BCCI has communicated the one-match ban on Pandya to the team owing to three slow over-rate violations by his team last season.
“Yeah, we’ve been officially communicated that he has to miss so like Hardik said, Sura will lead the team, and we’re looking forward to that,” Jayawardene said at the press conference.
Suryakumar is the national T20 captain and recently led the side to a 4-1 triumph over England at home.
