Despite the disappointments of IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya faced yet another setback before preparations for the next season could even begin.
Late on Friday, the BCCI announced that Pandya would be banned from playing in the opening match of IPL 2025 due to maintaining a slow over rate in MI’s final match of this season against Lucknow SuperGiants.
The BCCI stated, “Hardik Pandya, captain of Mumbai Indians, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their TATA IPL 2024 match against Lucknow SuperGiants at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on May 17.”
Since MI has no further matches this year, the suspension will carry over to the first match of the next season. This means MI will need to appoint a different captain for their opening game, even if they continue with Pandya as their full-time leader.
Pandya is now the second player after Delhi Capitals’ captain Rishabh Pant to be suspended this year for a slow over rate offense. Similar to Pant, Pandya received a one-match suspension after his third offense related to the slow over rate this season.
Additionally, Pandya was fined ₹30 lakh, while the other MI players, including the Impact Player in the match against LSG, were fined either ₹12 lakh or 50% of their respective match fees.
The BCCI explained, “As this was the team’s third offense of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct regarding minimum over rate offenses, Pandya was fined INR 30 lakhs and banned from playing the team’s next match. The rest of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each fined either INR 12 lakhs or 50% of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser.”
Pandya and MI's Nightmare Season
Pandya and MI had a challenging season in IPL 2024. As a captain and player, Pandya’s performance was underwhelming, with only 218 runs at an average of 18 across 14 matches.
Although he took 11 wickets, his economy rate of 10.75 was a significant concern. His leadership also fell short, as MI managed just four wins in 14 matches, finishing at the bottom of the table.
Pandya was reintroduced into the MI setup with high expectations, but under his leadership, the team could only secure four wins out of 14 games. Reflecting on the season, Pandya remarked after MI’s 18-run loss to Lucknow SuperGiants, “It was tough. We didn’t play good quality cricket, and it ultimately cost us the season.”
He added, “In a professional environment, you always have to put your best foot forward. But as a team, we failed to play quality or smart cricket.”
Hardik Pandya Rumored To Be Dating Jasmin Waliya
The Speculation about a relationship between Hardik Pandya and Jasmin Walia has taken social media by storm, with many buzzing about the possibility of a new romance.
The cricketer is back in the spotlight, this time linked to British singer and actress Jasmin Walia, just a month after his separation from Natasa Stankovic. The rumors spread after fans noticed similarities between Pandya’s and Walia’s vacation photos, leading to widespread discussion online.
Both Hardik Pandya and Jasmin Walia shared pictures of themselves enjoying a vacation in Greece, which quickly sparked talk of a romantic connection.
Pandya’s post, showing him taking a stroll by a pool with a scenic backdrop, appeared to match Walia’s holiday snapshots, adding fuel to the dating rumors.
As these poolside photos circulated on social media, fans began piecing together the clues, with many convinced that the two are more than just friends. Despite the buzz, neither Hardik Pandya nor Jasmin Walia has commented on the rumors so far.