BCCI Fines Hardik Pandya for Breaching a Code of Conduct; Know Why?

Summary: The BCCI penalized Hardik Pandya for a Code of Conduct violation after the Mumbai Indians failed to complete their 12-over mark against the Punjab Kings within the time limit.

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of the Mumbai Indians, was fined for violating the code of conduct during Thursday's IPL 2024 match against the Punjab Kings. As the captain of the Mumbai team, Hardik was fined INR 12 lakh for not completing the 20 overs of bowling in the allotted time. 

The same was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a statement. Since this was the first time Hardik didn't meet the over-rate requirements, a mere Rs. 12 lakh fine was imposed.

MI's slow over-rate almost cost them the match against PBKS. The five-time champions were forced to keep only four fielders outside the inner ring rather than the usual five in the final two overs of the match. 

When PBKS required 23 off 12 balls, Hardik and fast bowler Akash Madhwal bowled with just four boundary riders. With composure, Hardik bowled a solid final over. After giving up just four runs in his first three deliveries, the MI captain claimed the crucial wicket of Harpreet Brar with his fourth ball. 

Brar made a solid connection, but he was hitting towards the longer side of the boundary and was caught out by Mohammad Nabi at the fine leg as Hardik rolled his fingers over the ball.

However, the match's twists and turns continued. Kagiso Rabada, PBKS No. 11, came in and hit his first ball for a six to keep his team in the game. This was MI's third victory in their last four matches. However, it did not come as a great shock. In the 193-run chase, PBKS were reduced to 111/7 at one point, but 

Ashutosh Sharma bowled a brilliant inning to bring the home team back into the game. The right-hander smashed 61 off 28 balls, including seven sixes, and PBKS seemed to be in control until he reached the crease.

Ashutosh got out on the first ball of the 18th over, attempting to hit Gerald Coetzee for a six.