‌IPL 2025 | Suryakumar Yadav to lead depleted Mumbai Indians in their curtain-raiser 

Surya, the current T20I captain of India will be taking control of the five-time champions against another successful side Chennai Super Kings on March 23. Since becoming the full-time T20 captain for the Men in Blue with Gautam Gambhir as the coaching helm, the Mumbaikar has led the Indian side to 18 wins in 23 games. 

"Suryakumar Yadav leads India as well. He will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match," Hardik cited during the pre-season press conference alongside coach Mahela Jayawardene. 

Hardik, whose comeback to Mumbai was not gleefully welcomed by the fans in the last season, could lead the side to four wins in 14 games. Although the captaincy transition didn’t pay off last season, the all-rounder will be looking to start fresh, injected by the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. 

"I am lucky, I have three captains who are playing with me. It adds more experience. 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. "They can put the arm around my shoulder and always be there for me. I look at it that way,” the three-dimensional star added. 

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is set to be away for at least their first three games of the tournament. After a discomfort in the back during the final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, he missed the Champions Trophy despite being a part of the provisional squad earlier. Eventually, a delayed rehabilitation caused Bumrah's future for MI to be in jeopardy for the first half.

In the league, MI will play its first couple of games away from home before returning to Wankhede on March 31 to face its fond rival, Kolkata Knight Riders.