Last Updated:
Hardik Pandya is looking forward to leading Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium after a torrid time last season.
Hardik Pandya will miss MI’s IPL 2025 opener against CSK on March 23. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya is looking forward to going back to the Wankhede Stadium for the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
MI finished at the bottom of the points table last season and to make matters worse, Hardik himself had a middling season, scoring 216 runs and taking 11 wickets from 14 games.
After the horrors of last season, Hardik said that the side is aiming to do their things right in every aspect this time around.
“Just play good cricket. Being with each other at the same point in time. Doing the processes right. Go and execute. With this group, considering the talent, we will look ahead to enjoy the games,” Hardik was quoted as saying at the pre-season press conference.
“This year is a fresh year. A lot of things have changed; a lot of love and joy have been added. There will always be passion and new challenges that I love. The crucial part for me is to help the team to add value to the team. I am here!” Pandya added.
Pandya will be unavailable for MI’s season opener and named Suryakumar Yadav as captain of the match away to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). SKY captained MI in one IPL match, way back in 2023.
“Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match of IPL 2025. I am lucky that I have three captains playing with me – Rohit, Surya and Bumrah. They always place an arm around my shoulder and are there when I need any help,” said Pandya in the pre-season press conference, which he attended alongside head coach Mahela Jayawardene on Wednesday.
Talking about the MI-CSK clash, Jayawardene said, “It’s a challenge for both teams. I have always enjoyed the battle, looking forward to it. There is a little more adrenaline for the team as well.”
MI are also without their fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is recuperating from a back injury suffered during the Sydney Test in March. Jayawardene said Bumrah is still undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. “He is still at the NCA and is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. He is recovering and is in good spirits; hopefully, he can join the team sooner.”
(With inputs from Agencies)