Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya has been fined INR 24 lakh due to a slow over-rate during their match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 30, 2024.
The match saw the Mumbai Indians struggling to maintain the pace of play, leading to this significant penalty.
IPL statement
The IPL’s statement clarified the situation: “Mr. Hardik Pandya, Captain, Mumbai Indians, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants,” highlighting the seriousness with which the league is addressing the issue.
This isn’t the first time Mumbai Indians have faced such a situation. The fine was substantial as this was the team’s second offense of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offenses. “As it was his team’s second offense of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offenses, Pandya was fined ₹ 24 Lakh,” the IPL statement added.
Other members of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, were also fined INR 6 lakh or 25 percent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser. This collective penalty reflects the team’s overall responsibility to adhere to the rules of the game.
Mumbai Indians at the bottom of the points table
The repercussions of this event extend beyond financial penalties. Mumbai Indians’ performance on the field has been underwhelming this season, with the team likely to be eliminated from the tournament without advancing to the next round. This adds to the woes of the five-time champions, who have faced defeat in 10 matches so far.
Hardik Pandya, also named India’s vice-captain for the T20 World Cup earlier in the day, departed for a first-ball duck in the exact match. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, too, failed to leave a mark, scoring only 4 off five deliveries.
The Mumbai Indians are currently reeling at the ninth spot in the points table with six points, making their chances for the playoffs increasingly slim. With all four remaining matches against teams competing for top-4 spots, the pressure is mounting on the MI squad to turn their fortunes around.
The IPL continues to enforce its rules strictly to maintain the integrity and pace of the game, ensuring that teams adhere to the stipulated over-rates. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how teams adjust their strategies to avoid similar penalties.