Hardik Pandya Fined Rs 12 Lakh as Mumbai Indians Stumble in IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 12 lakh for violating the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during Saturday’s match against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The IPL issued a statement confirming the penalty, citing Pandya’s failure to maintain the required over-rate in Match 9 of the 2025 season. This marks Mumbai’s first over-rate offense this year under Article 2.2, compounding a tough start for the five-time champions, who suffered a 36-run loss to Gujarat.

Gujarat Titans dominated the contest, posting 196/8 thanks to Sai Sudharsan’s 63 off 41 balls, before Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj dismantled Mumbai’s chase, restricting them to 160/6. Pandya’s post-match admission of his team’s struggles, with the skipper highlighting sloppy fielding and basic errors that left them “15-20 runs short” in both batting and bowling. The defeat follows Mumbai’s opening loss to Chennai Super Kings, where Pandya was sidelined by a suspension from a prior over-rate breach in IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants.

Now languishing ninth in the standings with no wins from two games, Mumbai Indians face an uphill battle as they prepare to host defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Pandya’s hefty fine underscores the IPL’s rigid disciplinary measures, adding pressure on the captain to steer his side out of their early-season rut.