Suryakumar Yadav will step up as captain for Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday, March 23, with regular skipper Hardik Pandya sidelined by a one-match ban.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposed the suspension on Pandya for three slow over-rate offences during the 2024 season, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed at a pre-season press conference here on Tuesday.

Pandya, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain in 2024, endured a torrid debut year, leading MI to a last-place finish with only four wins in 14 matches. The over-rate violations, a recurring issue, culminated in the ban, thrusting Suryakumar into the spotlight. “Surya leads India as well. When I’m not there, he’s the ideal choice,” Pandya said, endorsing his deputy. Suryakumar, India’s T20I captain, recently guided the national side to a 4-1 series win over England in February 2025, though his personal tally of 38 runs in five games raised eyebrows about his batting form.

The opener against CSK, a blockbuster clash at Wankhede Stadium, pits Suryakumar against a formidable foe led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, with MI eager to rebound from last season’s woes.

Pandya’s absence adds intrigue, as his captaincy transition from Sharma—who won five IPL titles—sparked fan backlash and tactical scrutiny in 2024. Jayawardene acknowledged the team’s “disappointing” campaign but expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s leadership, citing his tactical acumen and familiarity with MI’s core.

With Pandya set to return for MI’s second match, Suryakumar’s stint offers a chance to set the tone for a redemption arc. As IPL 2025 kicks off, all eyes will be on whether “SKY” can ignite MI’s fortunes against a CSK side brimming with title pedigree.