By Karan Agrawal 
Five-time IPL Champion Mumbai Indians will be without the services of their regular captain Hardik Pandya who will miss the team’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Sunday (March 23). MI was found guilty of maintaining a slow over rate on three occasions during the last season the consequence of which will be faced by Hardik Pandya in MI’s match against CSK in the form of a one-match ban. Although the rule has been changed for the upcoming season Hardik will have to serve the ban as it was an offense committed in the last edition.
The Decision
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in Hardik’s absence with the all-rounder returning for the second match against his former team Gujarat Titans. Talking about the decision to appoint Surya as the captain for the first match regular captain Hardik Pandya said “Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match.” Elaborating on the decision head coach Mahela Jayawardene said “Yes, we have been officially communicated that he has to miss. Like Hardik said, Surya will lead the team.”
The Experience
MI has a wealth of experience at its disposal as far as captaincy is concerned with Rohit Sharma who leads India in ODI and Test and is a five-time IPL winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav who is the captain of India’s T20I side, and Jasprit Bumrah who has led India in Test and T20Is at the helm. When asked about the presence of experienced Indian captains in the team Hardik said “I am lucky.” “I have three captains who are playing with me. It adds more experience (to the side). If I require any help, I know that there are three different minds who have led India in different formats with so many years of experience.” He further said “They can put the arm around my shoulder and always be there for me. I look at it that way.”
Captain’s Corner
Reacting to him missing the first match due to maintaining a slow over rate thrice in the 2024 season Hardik said that these things are out of his control and he is someone who doesn’t think about the uncontrollable. “I think that is out of my control. Last year, what occurred was part of the sport. We bowled one and a half minutes or two minutes late. At that point of time, I didn’t know the consequences, what could happen. It is unfortunate but I think the rules say that which means I have to go with the process.”