[WATCH]- Hardik Pandya And MS Dhoni Share A Hug Ahead Of CSK vs MI IPL 2025 Clash

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya exchanged a warm hug with legendary five-time IPL-winning captain MS Dhoni ahead of their highly anticipated opening match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The thrilling encounter is set to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, March 23.

Hardik and Dhoni share a strong bond off the field, with the former making his India debut under MS Dhoni’s leadership in 2016. Since then, he has become a crucial white-ball player for Team India. In a video posted by the Super Kings on X, the two were seen embracing and catching up. You can watch the video here:

The Hug In H-D! 🫂💛💙#CSKvMI #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/9HKXiPSJAx

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 22, 2025

The strong bond between Hardik and Dhoni was evident when Dhoni once gave up his bed for the star all-rounder during a tour of New Zealand in 2019. In a past interview with ESPNcricinfo (as reported by Zee News), Pandya shared this memorable gesture:

“MS was someone who understood me from the start: how I function, what kind of a person I am, what are the things I don’t like, everything. When I was picked for the New Zealand series (in January 2019, after the suspension was revoked), initially there were no hotel rooms (for Pandya in New Zealand).”

“But then I get a call, saying, ‘You just come. MS has told us, ‘I don’t sleep on the bed (in any case). He will sleep on my bed and I will sleep on the floor.’”

Hardik Pandya set to miss MI’s first match against CSK in IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya will be unavailable for the team’s opening match against CSK in IPL 2025. The all-rounder has been handed a suspension due to a slow over-rate violation during MI’s last IPL 2024 match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). This marked his third offense, resulting in a one-match ban and a fine of ₹30 lakh.

The 31-year-old will return to captaincy on March 29 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In Hardik Pandya’s absence, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will take charge of Mumbai Indians (MI). MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardena stated (as quoted by The Times of India):

“We have been officially communicated that Hardik has to miss the first game.”

Meanwhile, Pandya further added:

“Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in the first match.”

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