IPL 2025: 'A lot has changed' – Hardik Pandya eager to erase IPL 2024 nightmare with MI

IPL 2025: 'A lot has changed' – Hardik Pandya eager to erase IPL 2024 nightmare with MI

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has opened up about the team’s bowling attack for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The star all-rounder also spoke about his confidence for the tournament after finishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table in the previous edition.

Hardik Pandya will miss the team’s opening match of the IPL 2025 season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to a one-match suspension. He received the ban after multiple slow over-rate violations in the 2024 season. The Mumbai team breached the slow over-rate rule for the third time in the previous edition.

Trent Boult Was Very Important to Us – Hardik Pandya

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, Hardik said that Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack has strengthened. He emphasized that they acquired Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar to ensure the team has an experienced bowling lineup capable of handling high-pressure situations.

“Getting Trent Boult was very important to us. Deepak Chahar too. We wanted an experienced bowling lineup so that when the pressure comes we have players who have felt it before,” Pandya said (as quoted by the Mumbai Indians’ X account).

“Getting Trent Boult was very important to us. Deepak Chahar too. We wanted an experienced bowling lineup so that when the pressure comes we have players who have felt it before,” – Hardik Pandya.

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 19, 2025

Trent Boult played for Mumbai Indians in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, taking 38 wickets in 29 matches. The 35-year-old New Zealand pacer was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for INR 8 crore in the 2022 mega auction.

Boult is set to return to MI after the franchise secured him for INR 12.50 crore in the 2025 mega auction. The left-arm pacer boasts an impressive IPL record with 121 wickets in 104 matches.

A Lot of Things Have Changed – Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is optimistic about the upcoming IPL 2025 season. He emphasized the positive atmosphere within the team, adding that a lot of things have changed.

“This year is a fresh year. A lot of things have changed, a lot of love and joy has been added. There will always be passion, new challenges that I love. The crucial part for me is to help the team to add value to the team. I am here!” Pandya added.

“This year is a fresh year. A lot of things have changed, a lot of love and joy has been added. There will always be passion, new challenges that I love. The crucial part for me is to help the team to add value to the team. I am here!” – Hardik Pandya.

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 19, 2025

It Is Always Going to Be High – Hardik Pandya

The 31-year-old expressed strong confidence in his mindset, stating that his confidence level will always remain high.

“I am very confident, it is always going to be high!” Pandya added.

Hardik Pandya on his mindset: “I am very confident, it is always going to be high!”

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 19, 2025

Mumbai Indians will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 at Chepauk Stadium. After finishing last in the 2024 season, MI have strengthened their squad with international stars like Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, and Mitchell Santner.

MI have not won an IPL title since 2020. They reached the playoffs in 2023 but were knocked out by Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. The team finished at the bottom of the table in 2024 despite Pandya’s return.

With a strong squad on paper, Pandya will be under pressure to deliver results in the upcoming season. His captaincy could come under scrutiny if MI endure another poor campaign.

Also read: IPL 2025: Corbin Bosch risks PSL BAN as he hits back at PCB’s legal threat

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