.jpg "Hardik Pandya Fined Rs 24 Lakh for IPL Code of Conduct Breach")
In a major blow to Mumbai Indians (MI), captain Hardik Pandya has been handed a one-match ban for his team’s slow over-rate during their IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium. This ban will see Hardik miss MI’s first match of the next IPL season. Should Hardik transfer to another team, he will be unavailable for that team’s opening game.
This sanction comes after MI failed to maintain the minimum over rate for the third time this season. As a result, apart from the ban, Hardik has been fined INR 30 lakhs. The rest of the playing XII, including the Impact Player, were each fined either INR 12 lakhs or 50% of their respective match fees, whichever amount was lesser.
The ban marks a disappointing end to a forgettable season for both MI and Hardik Pandya. The 18-run defeat to LSG ensured MI finished the season with only four wins from their 14 games, placing them at the bottom of the points table.
Hardik, who had joined MI as a pre-season trade and assumed the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, faced a challenging season. The Wankhede crowd frequently expressed their displeasure with boos throughout the tournament. On the field, Hardik’s performance was below expectations, scoring 216 runs at an average of 18.00 and a strike rate of 143.04. With the ball, he managed to take 11 wickets but had a high economy rate of 10.75.
Mark Boucher, the head coach of MI, acknowledged the challenges faced by Hardik. He suggested that the off-field controversies might have “clouded” Hardik’s focus and contributed to the team’s underwhelming performance.
As MI looks to rebuild for the next season, the absence of their captain in the opening match will be a significant hurdle. The team and fans will hope for a stronger comeback after a season marred by poor performances and disciplinary issues.
