The excitement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to begin in just a few days, with the tournament kicking off on March 22. While teams are busy preparing for the competition, they are also facing some tension, as a few players are likely to miss the initial matches. Notably, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and star pacer Jasprit Bumrah are among those who might not be available for the opening games. However, both players are expected to return after the first few matches.
Hardik Pandya to Miss IPL 2025 Opener
Mumbai Indians will play their first match of IPL 2025 on March 23 against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai at 7:30 PM. However, their skipper Hardik Pandya will not be available for this game. The reason behind this is the penalty Mumbai Indians received for maintaining a slow over rate in their IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants. As a result, Hardik Pandya was handed a one-match suspension. Since that was MI’s last match of the previous season, the suspension will now apply to their opening game of IPL 2025.
Now, the big question is who will lead the team in Pandya’s absence. Suryakumar Yadav is a strong contender, as he has already led India in T20Is. However, there is also a possibility that Rohit Sharma might take charge, considering he has previously captained MI to five IPL titles.
Jasprit Bumrah Not Fully Fit
Adding to Mumbai Indians’ challenges, their first match is against CSK, a strong opponent. While Hardik Pandya is already ruled out, Jasprit Bumrah’s availability is also uncertain. Bumrah suffered an injury during the Test series against Australia and subsequently missed the Champions Trophy. There is no clear update on his fitness, but reports suggest he might not join the team for at least one or two weeks. This could be a significant setback for MI.
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Uncertainty Over Mayank Yadav’s Availability
Lucknow Super Giants are also facing difficulties, as their pace sensation Mayank Yadav is expected to miss the initial matches. LSG retained him for ₹11 crore, but he has been struggling with injuries and fitness issues. LSG is set to play its first match against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam. Mayank is currently recovering from a back injury, but there is no clear timeline for his return.
Unclear Status of Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood
Among other players, Mitchell Marsh’s availability is also in doubt. LSG signed him for this season, but he has been dealing with a back issue, which also forced him to miss the Champions Trophy. His return date remains uncertain.
Similarly, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore, is also recovering from an injury. He is unlikely to play in the initial matches, though the exact timeline for his comeback is unclear.
Overall, several teams might start IPL 2025 without some of their key players, which could impact their performance in the early stages of the tournament.