With regular captain Hardik Pandya unavailable for the Mumbai Indians' season opener in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to a match suspension, Suryakumar Yadav will take over as captain for the match against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. This match marks the first double-header day of IPL 2025, with Sunrisers Hyderabad scheduled to face Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon.

In the lead-up to the match, Suryakumar was questioned about how he would manage the "uncapped" MS Dhoni. The stand-in captain responded with a witty remark during the pre-match press conference held in Chepauk on Saturday.

Initially, Suryakumar misinterpreted the reporter's question, asking, "Control who? Umpires?" After the journalist clarified, he burst into laughter before responding, “Has anyone ever been able to control Dhoni over the years?”

Suryakumar expressed his enthusiasm for playing in Chennai and reflected on the years of watching Dhoni captivate not just fans but fellow cricketers as well. 

"It's always thrilling to come to Chennai and see him emerge from the dressing room; it's a wonderful experience. I've learned so much from him, and we continue to gain insights whenever we have the chance to converse. I'm looking forward to seeing him again, but leading against him will present a good challenge," he remarked.

It is worth noting that Dhoni will be classified as "uncapped" in IPL 2025 following the BCCI's reinstatement of a rule that was eliminated in 2021. This rule states that a player who has not participated in an international match for over five years is considered "uncapped." The former India captain last played in an international match during the 2019 World Cup semifinal and announced his retirement a year later.

Why will Hardik Pandya miss CSK game?

The India all-rounder will not play in Mumbai's game against Chennai on Sunday as he is serving his one-match ban, handed by the BCCI for the team's third over-rate offence in the 2024 edition of IPL. However, he is set to become the last IPL captain to be banned for over-rate offences as the BCCI changed the rule earlier this week. Captains, from IPL 2025 onwards, will only be docked demerit points.

"A Level 1 offence will lead to deduction of 25 to 75 percent match fees with demerit points which will be calculated for next three years. Level 2 offence if serious will result in four demerit points.

"For every four demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could convert into a match ban in the future but for slow overrate there won't be a match ban," a BCCI source had told PTI.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma's Candid Remarks: "We've Been Trying to Win Our First IPL Match for Years"

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"