Hardik Pandya fined Rs 12 lakh for slow over rate, but will he be banned? – Firstpost

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya was fined by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday after his team was found guilty of maintaining a slow over-rate during their
Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

MI lost the encounter by 36 runs, suffering their second consecutive defeat in as many matches in IPL 2025. In another blow to the franchise,
captain Hardik was fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate in the match on Saturday.

“As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 12 lakhs,” the BCCI said in a release.

Pandya had already missed the IPL 2025 opener between MI and Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
due to a one-match ban for a slow over-rate offence during the IPL 2024 season. The question on every fan’s mind now is: will he be banned again?

The short answer is no. Why?

Will Hardik Pandya be banned for slow over-rate offence?

Because IPL’s governing council has changed the rule regarding punishment for slow over-rate offences. He was banned for the first match of IPL 2025 due to a slow over-rate offence in MI’s last IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

It was his third such offence and as a result, he was handed a one-match ban. However, the IPL organisers have changed the rule for IPL 2025. Captains
will no longer face match bans for slow over-rate offences. Instead, they will receive demerit points, with a ban imposed only in exceptional cases.

“Effective this season, a new Code of Conduct will be implemented from the TATA IPL 2025 season, introducing a demerit points system and suspension points which will remain valid for 36 months,” the BCCI said in a press release.

As per reports, BCCI told IPL franchises: “The captain will be penalised with demerit points but will not face a match ban for the slow over-rate. The Level 1 offence will be charged 25 to 75 percent match fees with demerit points which will be calculated for next three years.

“A Level 2 offence, if exactly deemed serious, will result in four demerit points.

“For every 4 demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could potentially lead to a match ban in the future. But for slow overrate it won’t be a match ban (immediately).”

As a result, there will be no immediate suspension for Hardik even if he incurs more slow over-rate offences. He will receive demerit points which will remain valid for 36 months.