Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point for a Level 1 breach of the IPL Code of Conduct during his side’s defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders.
The incident
According to an official IPL release, Hardik admitted the offence and accepted the sanction from match referee Rajiv Seth. It happened in Match 65 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, May 20, during MI’s bowling innings. In the 10th over, after Manish Pandey hit him for a boundary, Hardik was seen forcefully knocking over the stumps as he walked back to his mark. The act was judged a breach of Article 2.2, which covers abuse of cricket equipment, ground equipment or fittings during a match.
The match
KKR won by four wickets, reaching their target of 148 with seven balls to spare. Manish Pandey made 45 and Rovman Powell 40. Hardik scored 26 off 27 balls at a strike rate of 96.30 and did not take a wicket.
A tough season
The campaign has been difficult for the MI skipper, who has made 172 runs in nine matches at an average of 21.50 and taken only four wickets. MI are ninth in the table after 13 matches, with just four wins, which has raised further questions about Hardik’s form and leadership.
