Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya will miss the season opener for the franchise against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in his absence.
Hardik is serving one-match ban for his team's slow over-rate in their final league game of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants. However, Hardik is confident of making a turnaround this year. Unfortunately, he is all set to miss his team's first game. The all-rounder was in prime form as an international cricketer in the lead-up upto the IPL.
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This Is Out Of My Control- Hardik On His One-Match Ban
He played pivotal roles in India's T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy wins. Now all the focus is onto the IPL. Hardik has shared his first reaction on missing out from the season opener. He said that he was not aware of this development.
"That is out of my control. Last year what occurred is part of the sport. We bowled the last over one-and-a-half or two minutes late. At that point I didn't know the consequences," Hardik said. "It is unfortunate, but the rules say it. I will have to go with the process. Next season, if they continue or not continue [with this rule], I think that is on the higher authorities. They can definitely see what best can be done. Surya, obviously, leads India [in T20Is] as well. When I'm not there, he is the ideal choice in this format" Pandya said.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene also said that the message has been officially communicated to Hardik Pandya.
"We have been officially communicated that he [Hardik] has to miss [the first game]," Mahela Jayawardene, the MI head coach, said in a press meet in Mumbai on Wednesday, confirming that Suryakumar would be leading the side for the game.
Hardik will return as captain in MI's second game onwards. Mumbai Indians take on the Gujarat Titans in their second match on March 29 in Ahmedabad. The side finished tenth last season and managed to win just four games last season.
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