PBKS vs MI: Hardik Pandya slapped by BCCI for his oversmartness

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya might have been quite happy after his side registered their 3rd victory of the 2024 IPL season, but his joy has been shortened by the BCCI and IPL authorities.

Hardik has been fined INR 12 Lakhs from his match fees for maintaining a slow over rate during Mumbai's last-gasp victory against Sam Curran's Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra stadium in Mullanpur. 

Since it was Mumbai and Hardik Pandya's first offense of slow over-rate in the 2024 season, the IPL authorities have charged him 12 Lakhs and the sanctions will increase if they are found doing it again.

This is happening for the first time with MI this season and it adds further salt to their wounds. Previously, the team was losing its matches, and skipper Hardik was being trolled by the fans but this is the new low that Mumbai has gone down to. 

Slowover rate proves costly for Hardik Pandya and Co. 

Two days ago on the 17th of April, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer was also charged 12 Lakhs for a slow over-rate during his team's tough loss against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has been fined 12 Lakhs and 24 Lakhs for two slow over-rate offenses as well and Hardik Pandya becomes the latest to enter the infamous list.  

"Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on April 18." - a BCCI press release read.

While that 12 Lakh fine may not hurt Hardik Pandya that much, the fact that Mumbai Indians had to put just 4 fielders outside the inner circle for the offense, could have been much more expensive.

Instead of 5 fielders, MI had 4 fielders outside the circle, that too, in the final 2 overs of the match when Punjab required less than 25 runs. MI got lucky that the hosts were reduced to 9 wickets and there was no recognized batter in the crease. 

Had there been someone like Ashutosh Sharma, who stormed Mullanpur with raining sixes, Mumbai could have been in huge trouble.

Nonetheless, the 5-time champions were able to secure a 9-run victory in their first of the 4 away games they will play until the 30th of April before welcoming KKR at the Wankhede on Friday, May 3rd. 

MI level on points with Lucknow and Delhi 

With their close victory last night, Hardik Pandya's MI have gone level on points with North-Indian outfits Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.

Both the teams are above MI in the 5th and 6th position due to a greater net run rate as LSG has +0.038 of NRR, and Delhi improved their NRR with their big victory against Gujarat by 6-wickets to go -0.074.

Mumbai Indians currently find themselves 7th in the points table and their away game will take place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in a reverse fixture against Rajasthan Royals on April 22nd.