Mumbaj Indians (Mi) Skipper Hardik Pandya is ready to miss the first game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The comprehensive will not be in the game against rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which will be eternally held on March 23 at the Ma Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
This was because Hardik punished BCCI last season for maintaining a slow excessive rate. She won him a ban on one match after the last league match of Mumbai during the IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
This is the third time Hardik Pandya has been fined in the season, and therefore resulted in an Inr 30 lakh fine and a ban on one match. Together with skipper, other players in Rohit Sharmi and Suryakumar Yadav were also fined with 50 percent or INR 12 lakh their game fees, depending on what was lower.
Hardik Pandya was fined and he was forbidden to play the next team match
The IPL Governing Council has announced an official statement confirming fines and prohibition. Read the press release:
“Hardik Pandya, Captain of the Mumbaj Indians, was fined after his team held a dispute during his IPL 2024 match against the Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 17th.
“As the third offense of his team in the season within the IPL Code of Behavior relating to minimal offenses, Pandya was punished with 30 varnishes and is forbidden to play the next team match.”
Hardik Pandya will be available for the second game of Mumbaj Indians against Gujarata Titans
This means that Hardik will be available for the second game of Mumbaj Indians against the Titan Gujarat. The match will be played on March 29 at Narendra Modi International Crickket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This will come as a blow to the Mumbaj Indians, because they will not only be without a skipper for the first game, but also a quality versatile. This will surely disrupt the team balance, but given that it is a long tournament, it will not be a decisive factor.
One of Rohit Sharme, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav Captain Mumbai Indians in Introductory IPL 2025 Introduction against Chennai Super Kings
Since Hardik Pandya missed the first game, now the question remains, who will lead the team? It is learned that Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise on five titles, is also in the race to lead the team in the introductory fixture.
Also, Jasprit Bumrah and Indian Captain T20I, Suryakumar Yadav, will be options. Mumbaj Indians are jointly the most successful franchise in the league. Last year they didn’t have a great trip because they ended up on the table last year and now they would like to return strongly.
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