Mumbai Indians (MI) have not won their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season since 2012. This ongoing streak has become a notable aspect of their performance, as they prepare to face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their 2025 season opener on March 23, 2025. The team finished last in the previous season and is eager to change this trend, especially under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, who will captain the team in Hardik Pandya’s absence due to a suspension for an over-rate violation from the last season.
- 2013: Lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 1 run.
- 2014: Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets.
- 2015: Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets.
- 2016: Lost to Rising Pune Supergiants by 9 wickets.
- 2017: Lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 15 runs.
- 2018: Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 1 wicket.
- 2019: Lost to Delhi Capitals by 37 runs.
- 2020: Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets.
- 2021: Lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 2 wickets.
- 2022: Lost to Delhi Capitals by 4 wickets.
- 2023: Lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 wickets.
- 2024: Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets.
This record highlights that MI has not won a season opener since their victory in 2012 against the Chennai Super Kings, marking a significant streak of defeats in their first matches of the IPL seasons.
MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, acknowledged this challenge during a press conference, expressing hope that the team can finally break this jinx. He emphasized the importance of their core group and experience in overcoming past difficulties, stating, “We haven’t won our first match since 2012… we have a big challenge ahead of us to try and overcome that”.
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The upcoming match against CSK is particularly daunting as it will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, known for its spin-friendly conditions which favor the home team. Additionally, MI may also be without their key bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from injury.
