By Zainab Shafiq 
Mumbai Indians (MI) may suffer a huge blow in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23, as their skipper, Hardik Pandya, will be missing the much-awaited encounter. His absence is due to a one-match ban carried over from last season for successive slow-over rate offenses.
The IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. Day two will see Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the afternoon, setting the stage for the blockbuster showdown between MI and CSK in the evening at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Hardik Pandya made a mistake last season, MI set to face punishment during IPL 2025 opener
Pandya’s suspension goes back to Mumbai Indians’ final league-stage encounter in IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). For the third time in the season, for a slow-over rate breach of the IPL Code of Conduct, the all-rounder was fined ₹30 lakh and was automatically banned from a single match. Since MI didn’t proceed further in the tournament, the fine is transferred to their opening game of IPL 2025.
A statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) detailed the disciplinary action: “As it was MI’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s minimum over-rate regulations, Hardik Pandya was fined ₹30 lakh and handed a one-match suspension. Other players in the XI, including the Impact Player, were fined either ₹12 lakh or 50% of their match fees, whichever was lesser.”
This is not Pandya’s first encounter with over-rate penalties. He was before fined ₹12 lakh for MI slow over-rate against Punjab Kings and again penalized for another offense in an away game against LSG. With a third offense leading to suspension, Mumbai Indians now miss out on their captain in their opening game of the season—a much-awaited fixture of the year.
MI will have to readjust their strategy against a strong CSK team while making sure that they get the leadership right with Pandya away.
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