IPL 2025: Why is Hardik Pandya banned from CSK vs MI and who will captain Mumbai Indians in his absence?

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians (MI) will launch their IPL 2025 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chepauk Stadium on Sunday (March 23). However, the tie won't feature Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya as he is banned from taking part in the opening fixture of IPL 2025. This is due to repercussion from the previous edition, which saw the all-rounder getting fined Rs 30 lakh after Mumbai Indians' final league stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, which the latter won by 18 runs.

Why is Hardik Pandya banned from CSK vs MI, IPL 2025?

“Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 17,” an official IPL media release had stated. “As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined ₹30 lakh and banned from playing the team’s next match,” it added.

Hence, Pandya can only be available for the five-time champions from the second match, which is against Gujarat Titans on March 29.