Hardik Pandya was handed a big opportunity in IPL 2024 as he was named the skipper of the 5-time champions Mumbai Indians. However, the season turned out to be disastrous for the 30-year-old all-rounder. Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the table, with only 4 wins in 14 games. Adding to his woes, Pandya continuously faced backlash from fans and was booed in stadiums, compounding his difficult season.
Hardik Pandya banned from IPL 2025 opening match
Pandya’s miseries haven’t stopped there. As Mumbai Indians’ season concluded, Pandya received more bad news. The Mumbai Indians captain has been banned from playing his team’s very first match next year. The BCCI made this decision because he maintained a slow over-rate in the Mumbai Indians’ match against Lucknow Super Giants. This wasn’t the first or second time; Pandya failed to maintain the over-rate third time this season.
Apart from the one-match ban, Hardik Pandya has also been fined 30 lakh rupees. Earlier in the IPL 2024 season, Rishabh Pant, the Delhi Capitals skipper, found himself in the same situation and was banned from DC’s match against RCB.
As per IPL over-rate rules, the bowling team needs to bowl their 20 overs within 90 minutes. If a team fails to do this, the captain faces a 12 lakh rupees fine for the first offense. If it happens again, the captain faces a 24 lakh rupees fine. For the third offense, the fine is 30 lakh rupees, and the captain faces a one-match ban.
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Mumbai Indians are expected to retain Hardik Pandya for the IPL 2025 season, given the investment they made in him this season. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav may lead the team if he is retained as well. It’s worth noting that only four players can be retained by the franchises ahead of IPL 2025; the rest will go to the mega auction.