Hardik Pandya becomes the 1st player to be punished by BCCI in IPL 2025 after Sai Kishore episode

Things went from bad to worse for the Mumbai Indians (MI) as skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the team’s recent loss to the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025. The 31-year-old cricketer is the first captain to be fined for a slow over-rate in the Indian Premier League 2025 season.

Mumbai Indians suffered a 36-run loss to the Titans in the ninth match of IPL 2025 on Saturday, March 29, in Ahmedabad. Prasidh Krishna bowled an impressive spell of 2/18 in four overs, putting Mumbai on the back foot. MI could only manage 160/6 in their allotted 20 overs while chasing a target of 197.

MI Skipper Hardik Pandya Fined for Slow Over-Rate

Hardik Pandya has been fined ₹12 lakh by the IPL Governing Council. This is his first offense of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct for minimum over-rate violations. The league issued an official statement confirming the penalty.

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"Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 9 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad," the IPL statement read.

"As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 12 lakhs."

MI Skipper Struggled with the Bat During Run Chase

Gujarat Titans posted a total of 196 while batting first. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 63 runs. Hardik Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai, finishing with figures of 2/29. MI were also penalized for a slow over-rate, with only four fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the final over of GT’s innings.

Chasing 197, MI got off to a poor start. They lost two early wickets inside the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav (48) and Tilak Varma (39) tried to steady the innings, but their efforts weren’t enough as Mumbai fell short by 36 runs. The MI skipper struggled with the bat, managing to score only 11 runs off 17 balls.

Hardik Pandya Banned from IPL 2025 Opener vs Chennai Super Kings

It is worth noting that the all-rounder also missed Mumbai Indians' opening match of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings due to the same issue. MI's third slow over-rate offense in their final league game of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants led to Pandya receiving a fine and a one-match suspension.

However, ahead of IPL 2025, the rule enforcing a ban on captains for repeated slow over-rate violations was removed.

Mumbai Indians, under Pandya’s leadership, are yet to register a win this season, having lost both of their opening matches. Their next fixture is against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, March 31, in Mumbai.

Also read: Watch: Hardik Pandya and Sai Kishore patch-up after mid-pitch breakup in Ahmedabad