“That is out of my control. Last year what occurred is part of the sport. We bowled the last over one-and-a-half or two minutes late. At that point I didn’t know the consequences,” Hardik said at a press conference in Mumbai. “It is unfortunate, but the rules say it. I will have to go with the process. Next season, if they continue or not continue [with this rule], I think that is on the higher authorities. They can definitely see what best can be done.

“Surya, obviously, leads India [in T20Is] as well. When I’m not there, he is the ideal choice in this format.”

MI’s first game is against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 23.

Hardik was penalised for maintaining a slow over rate in MI’s last league game of IPL 2024, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Since that was his third offence of the season, Hardik was given a one-match suspension for his next IPL game, along with an INR 30 lakh fine. That leaves MI without both Hardik and the injured Jasprit Bumrah for their first game.

Hardik will be available for MI’s second game, also away, in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29. MI’s first home match is two days later, when they host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31. They then play two matches in the first week of April: LSG in Lucknow on April 4 and at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.

MI had finished last in IPL 2024 after winning only four out of 14 games.