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- Suryakumar Yadav to Captain Mumbai Indians in their first game following Hardik’s ban
Suryakumar Yadav to Captain Mumbai Indians in their first game following Hardik’s ban
Suryakumar Yadav will captain Mumbai Indians (MI) in their opening match of IPL 2025, as regular skipper Hardik Pandya will be serving a one-match suspension due to a penalty from IPL 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav will captain Mumbai Indians (MI) in their opening match of IPL 2025, as regular skipper Hardik Pandya will be serving a one-match suspension due to a penalty from IPL 2024.
MI's head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, confirmed the news in a press conference in Mumbai, stating that they had received official communication about Hardik’s suspension. Hardik admitted he wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of the slow over-rate rule last season.
"It's something out of my control," Hardik said. "Last year, we bowled the last over a couple of minutes late, and I didn’t know the full consequences at the time. But rules are rules, and I have to accept them. Hopefully, authorities will review and decide what’s best in the future."
With Hardik unavailable, Suryakumar was the natural choice to step in. "Surya is already leading India in T20Is when I’m not there, so he’s the ideal choice," Hardik added.
MI's first match is a blockbuster clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 23. In addition to Hardik’s absence, MI will also be without Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from a back injury that has kept him out since January. Bumrah is likely to miss more than one game.
Hardik’s suspension comes from MI’s final league match of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where he was penalized for a slow over rate. Since it was his third offense, he received a one-match ban along with a ₹30 lakh fine.
Hardik will be back for MI’s second game on March 29 against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. MI will then return home to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31. Their schedule continues with matches against LSG in Lucknow on April 4 and a home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.
After finishing last in IPL 2024 with just four wins in 14 matches, MI will be eager for a fresh start this season.
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International games
Namibia vs Canada, 2nd T20I
CAN 145/8 (15)
NAM 146/7 (15)
Namibia won by 3 wkts (15 Ovs game due to rain)
Siddle Ends First-Class Career on a High as WA Fall in Thrilling Finish
Victoria 197 & 370 for 9 dec (Kellaway 165*, Macdonald 60, Rocchiccioli 3-110) beat Western Australia 186 & 347 (Cartwright 79, Connolly 56, Siddle 4-67, Sutherland 4-79) by 34 runs
Peter Siddle wrapped up his stellar first-class career in style, taking the final wicket as Victoria defeated Western Australia by 34 runs, ending WA’s hopes of a fourth straight Sheffield Shield title. Siddle finished with 4 for 68, sealing the win by dismissing Corey Rocchiccioli before receiving a guard of honor from both teams.
Victoria’s victory was all but confirmed when Campbell Kellaway, who scored an unbeaten 165, took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Cameron Gannon. Despite a fighting 56 from Cooper Connolly and a 107-run stand with Hilton Cartwright (79), WA ultimately fell short in their chase of 382.
With this result, South Australia will host Queensland in the Shield final, while Victoria’s late-season slump cost them a spot despite their strong start. WA captain Sam Whiteman, who registered a pair, admitted it was a frustrating season for his side.
“Cricket is a game that teaches you the value of patience, perseverance, and resilience."
Domestic cricket + T20 leagues
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On This Day
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, born on this day, first caught attention in 1999 against Australia with his "mystery" ball but struggled to cement his place in the Sri Lankan squad early on. However, he made his mark against Pakistan, taking 11 wickets in two Tests in 2004-05. In 2009, called in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Muttiah Muralitharan, he delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 15, helping bowl Pakistan out for 117 while chasing 168.
Herath played a key role in Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test win in South Africa in 2011, taking nine wickets. He also took eight wickets in two Tests against Australia that year. In 2012, he picked up 11 for 108 against New Zealand and followed it up with a stunning 14-wicket haul against Pakistan in 2014. He also ripped through New Zealand's middle order with 5 for 3 in a World T20 match in Chittagong.
One of his most memorable performances came in 2015 when he took 7 for 48 to pull off an unlikely win against India in Galle. The following year, he spun Sri Lanka to a historic 3-0 series whitewash over Australia, taking 28 wickets, including 13 in Colombo.
In March 2017, just before turning 39, Herath became the most successful left-arm spinner in Test history, surpassing Daniel Vettori’s 362 wickets against Bangladesh in Galle, where he was also captain. Later that year, he reached 400 wickets in style, securing a thrilling 21-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Herath retired from international cricket in 2018 after playing the first Test against England in Galle, leaving behind a legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest match-winners.
Coming tomorrow
New Zealand Women vs Australia Women, 1st T20I