Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya fined once again—this time following his team’s 36-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in their IPL 2025 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 29. The BCCI announced that Hardik Pandya was fined ₹12 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate, making it a double blow for the MI skipper who’s already facing pressure after back-to-back losses.
Hardik Pandya Fined After Slow Over Rate Breach
The official release from the IPL confirmed the penalty.
“Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during Match No. 9 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad,” the statement read.
Since this was MI’s first offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, Hardik Pandya fined ₹12 lakh was in line with standard league penalties for such violations.
Hardik Pandya Fined: Adds to MI’s Woes After Second Consecutive Defeat
The match itself was far from ideal for Mumbai Indians. Chasing a challenging target of 197, MI were restricted to 160/6 in their 20 overs, falling short by 36 runs. It marked their second defeat in a row, a worrying trend for a team with such a rich legacy.
To make matters worse, Hardik Pandya fined yet again has sparked renewed criticism over his leadership and game management, especially as the MI bowling unit took longer than allowed to complete their overs.
History Repeats: Hardik Pandya Fined for Same Offence Last Season Too
This isn’t the first time that Hardik Pandya fined news has made headlines due to over-rate violations. In fact, it was a recurring issue during the previous IPL season. He even missed MI’s opening game of the 2025 season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to a one-match suspension linked to repeated slow over rate breaches in 2024.
The pattern has raised questions about whether Pandya and the MI think tank are doing enough to address time management during fielding innings.
What It Means Going Forward
With Hardik Pandya fined yet again, the spotlight will now be firmly on how he handles MI’s bowling changes and over progression in upcoming games. A repeat offence could not only result in heftier fines but also a suspension for the MI skipper—which would be a major setback for a team already struggling to find momentum.
The Road Ahead for Mumbai Indians
Hardik will be under pressure not only to bounce back with the bat and ball but also to lead the side more efficiently on the field. With the next few matches being critical, MI can ill afford another slip in over rate or match performance.
While MI’s defeat was disappointing, it is the news that Hardik Pandya fined that may sting the most—both for the captain and the franchise’s morale.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Hardik responds—not just as a player, but as a leader—when MI take on their next opponent in what is already shaping up to be a high-pressure season.
