“He’s a match-winner”: MI captain Hardik Pandya showers praise on Suryakumar Yadav ahead of IPL 2025

Hardik Pandya hailed Suryakumar Yadav as a proven match-winner, he praised his brilliant form and role for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.

Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya is looking all set to lead the team in the IPL 2025. The captain is looking all confident on the new squad in the new season. On Wednesday, Hardik said that Suryakumar will be leading the team in the first match of the season as he is suspended for a match due to a slow over-rate in IPL 2024. He not just praised Surya’s captaincy but his form as well. Incidentally, Hardik plays under Suryakumar in India setup in T20Is and under Rohit Sharma in ODIs.

Hardik Pandya on Suryakumar Yadav

Hardik praised Surya ahead of the IPL 2025, believing that he’s one of the most important players for the team in the upcoming season. “SKY has scored a lot of runs over the years. For me, he is batting brilliantly. He has been a proven match-winner for India and Mumbai Indians,” he said.

SKY with MI

Suryakumar Yadav has been an important player for the Mumbai Indians over the years. He made his debut with the same team in 2012, later joined KKR, and then returned back to the team in 2018. Over his time with MI, he has scored 2,986 runs in 94 innings, scoring 23 fifties and 2 centuries for MI.

Pandya on expectations in IPL 2025

After a disastrous first season as the captain where MI finished last in the points table, he will seek redemption. There seemed to be discontent in the leadership group. But now water is under the bridge. The four mainstays of MI have reconciled and they are in good spirits. He has the backing of Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and more importantly, Rohit Sharma.

Speaking on the expectations from the team in the upcoming season, he said, “Mumbai Indians has a great legacy. The expectations are high and to fulfil that is always challenging. I have enjoyed the challenge of captaincy and looking forward to the same in IPL 2025”.