Hardik Pandya Faces BCCI's Wrath After INEXCUSABLE Offence During PBKS vs MI Cliffhanger

Hardik Pandya Fined 12 Lakhs (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Mumbai Indians defeated Punjab Kings by nine runs to get their IPL 2024 campaign back on track. It was not an easy win for MI who got a mighty scare from Ashutosh Sharma but held their nerves to pick their third win over the season. PBKS were down and out at 111-7 in a tall chase of 193 but Ashutosh Sharma played a blinder to get PBKS close to the target. The youngster, however, fell for 61 in 28 balls in the 18th over, with PBKS 25 runs away from a win. MI clawed back in the contest and eventually emerged victorious.

Meanwhile, MI captain Hardik Pandya was slapped with a fine of INR 12 lakhs for maintaining a slow over rate.

" 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," BCCI said in a release after the PBKS vs MI match.

This was Mumbai Indians first slow over-rate offence this season thus the minimum penalty was levied. However, it almost cost Mumbai Indians the game as they had to keep one extra fielder inside the circle for the final two overs. Notably, three such instances in a single edition lead to a penalty of 30 lakhs and a one-match ban for the captain.

"As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined ₹12 lakhs," the release added.

Earlier, a magnificent 78 by Suryakumar Yadav, clubbed with cameos of 36 and 34 by Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma respectively helped MI post a strong total of 192-7. MI came out all guns blazing with the ball and reduced PBKS to 77-6 before Ashutosh arrived at the crease. He along with Shashank Singh helped MI cross the 100-run mark, with Shashank making 41 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee bagged three wickets each for MI.

Hardik Pandya was pleased with the win but acknowledged that MI could have been better in certain areas.

"Very good game of cricket. Everyone's nerve got tested. We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game. Naturally you think you're ahead in the game. But we knew IPL has a tendency to produce these games. Unbelievable - coming in and playing like that (Ashutosh's knock). Almost every ball hitting the middle. Happy for him and chuffed for his future. We did speak in the timeout that it doesn't matter how good we look. We'll keep scrapping in this game. We were quite soft in certain overs. Nevertheless, a win is a win," said Hardik Pandya.

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