Hardik Pandya's Career Turnaround Amid IPL 2025 Ban

Suryakumar Yadav will captain the Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings due to Hardik Pandya's one-match ban for slow over-rate violations from the previous season. Despite being criticized and booed in IPL 2024, Pandya made a significant comeback by leading India to win the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Pandya emphasized that his focus during the challenging period was on survival rather than winning, which eventually led to a turnaround in his career. As Pandya prepares to return as captain for Mumbai Indians' second match, he reflects on how cricket remains his greatest ally in overcoming adversities. Pandya's leadership journey was tested after replacing Rohit Sharma, leading to initial backlash, but his determination saw him through. He now focuses on building an experienced squad for the ongoing IPL 2025 season.