MI Captain Penalized in First Over-Rate Offense of the Season
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has been fined ₹12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during their IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. This penalty marks the first over-rate offense in the ongoing season.“How the IPL 2025 Over-Rate Penalty Works”
MI’s Over-Rate Violation Leads to Fine
In the game, MI’s bowling attack, featuring four fast bowlers—Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Satyanarayana Raju, and Pandya himself—exceeded the allotted time to complete their 20 overs. As a result, GT managed to post a formidable total of 196 for 8. During MI’s chase, the team fell short, finishing at 160 for 6.
Hardik Pandya’s Suspension and IPL’s Over-Rate Rule Change
This match was Pandya’s first appearance in IPL 2025, following a one-match suspension due to a slow over-rate offense in MI’s final game of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In that previous instance, MI’s third over-rate violation of the season led to a ₹30 lakh fine for Pandya and his suspension from the opening game of the current season.
The IPL has revised its regulations regarding over-rate offenses. Previously, repeated violations could result in match suspensions for captains. Under the new system, financial penalties and in-game field restrictions are imposed instead. For a first offense, the captain is fined ₹12 lakh. Subsequent offenses attract higher fines and, in some cases, restrictions on field placements during matches.
MI’s Struggles Continue in IPL 2025
In MI’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Suryakumar Yadav led the team in Pandya’s absence. MI batted first and were restricted to 155 for 9, with CSK chasing down the target in the final over to win by four wickets.
The Importance of Maintaining Over-Rate in IPL
Ensuring that matches proceed within the stipulated time frame is crucial in the IPL. Teams and captains are expected to manage their bowling strategies effectively to avoid such penalties in future games. Over-rate violations not only lead to financial consequences but also impact team performance due to potential in-game restrictions.
