Hardik Pandya on verge of getting banned, brutally punished after MI's seventh defeat in IPL 2024, other Mumbai players too face brunt

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been slapped with a hefty fine after four-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 30. Following their match against LSG on Tuesday, Pandya was fined a whopping Rs 24 lakh by the IPL. This hefty penalty comes as a result of it being MI's second offense of the season for slow over rate as they failed to maintain the required over rate during the IPL 2024 clash against LSG. The IPL issued a statement confirming the punishment.

"Mr Hardik Pandya, Captain, Mumbai Indians has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 48 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on April 30, 2024," BCCI mentioned in a statement.

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The penalty extends beyond Pandya. The rest of the Mumbai Indians playing XI, including the Impact substitute, have also been fined. 

"As it was his team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 24 Lac. The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either INR 6 Lac or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser," BCCI added.

Mumbai Indians' woes continue as they slumped to their seventh loss of the season against Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Hardik Pandya was fined a hefty Rs 24 lakh for his team's slow over rate, adding to their struggles. This is the second such offense for MI this season, and a repeat offense could lead to a one-match ban for Pandya.

Earlier, Pandya blamed the early collapse for the four-wicket defeat. He acknowledged Nehal Wadhera's valiant 46-run knock as a lone bright spot for MI.

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"I think losing early wickets is tough to recover from and that's what we couldn't do it (recover) today," said Pandya during the post-match presentation.

"You still have to see the ball and hit. We just missed those balls and got out, that has been the kind of season we have had so far. I have always believed that you will be up and you'll be up, just that you got to give it your all. A lot of things to learn from this game. It has been fantastic. I think he (Nehal Wadhera) did last year as well, he couldn't get opportunities earlier (in the tournament) but he will play a lot of IPL and (represent) India eventually," he added.

Mumbai Indians' struggles continue as they slumped to their seventh loss in ten matches, leaving them languishing in ninth place. Conversely, Lucknow Super Giants celebrated a morale-boosting victory, propelling them to the coveted third position in the standings.  MI will next face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 3 at the iconic Wankhede stadium.

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