Mumbai Indians head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, expressed hope that the Ahmedabad crowd would refrain from booing Hardik Pandya when he returns to the Indian Premier League. After being suspended from the first match of Mumbai last season due to an over-rate violation, Pandya is set to make his 2025 debut in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans.
Last season, Pandya faced a hostile reception from fans after moving from Gujarat to Mumbai, having captained Gujarat for two years. His return to Wankhede Stadium also saw him being booed amid the captaincy controversy at MI. However, Jayawardene hopes that the fans have moved past last season, especially considering Pandya’s achievements over the past 12 months, including winning the T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy, showcasing his exceptional form for the Indian team.
“Cricket is more than just a game; it’s a sport that stirs emotions, and fans’ loyalty is an intriguing aspect, especially in the IPL. It’s impressive to witness how deep that loyalty runs. Although it’s been a year, Hardik Pandya has achieved so much since then, and I hope people will look beyond what transpired last year. Let’s look forward to enjoying a great match of cricket,” said Mahela Jayawardene, prior to the MI vs GT clash.
Mumbai comes into the match after a loss to Chennai Super Kings in their opener, where they struggled in both batting and bowling. Addressing the state of the bowling unit, Jayawardene confirmed that all players are fit and available except for Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from an injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Jayawardene also mentioned that MI has no specific timeline for Bumrah’s return.
“Everyone is available except for Bumrah. As I mentioned in my previous interview, he is progressing through his recovery program on a daily basis. So far, everything seems positive. However, no specific timelines have been provided by the NCA, so we’ll continue to monitor his progress,” Jayawardene shared during the press conference.
In the previous match, MI was led by Suryakumar Yadav, but Hardik Pandya will take over the captaincy from this match onward.