Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was fined 10 percent of his match fee after breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Pandya also received one demerit point for forcefully knocking off the bails during his bowling spell in the second innings. The IPL confirmed the punishment in an official statement.
The incident took place during the 10th over of Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase. Pandya appeared frustrated while returning to his run-up and struck the wicket with force.
KKR defeated Mumbai Indians by four wickets at Eden Gardens. The home side chased down the 148-run target with seven balls remaining.
Hardik Pandya fined for Code of Conduct breach
The Hardik Pandya fined incident was classified as a Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
The rule relates to abuse of cricket equipment, clothing or ground fixtures during a match. Pandya admitted the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Rajiv Seth.
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Former players and commentators also criticised Pandya’s actions during the match.
Many said senior players are expected to maintain composure during pressure moments, especially in high-profile IPL games.
Videos of the incident spread widely across social media within minutes after the match ended.
Mumbai Indians’ difficult campaign has increased scrutiny on Pandya’s leadership this season.
The franchise has struggled for consistency with both bat and ball despite several experienced players in the squad.
Fans at Eden Gardens also reacted loudly after the on-field incident.The penalty will not affect Pandya’s availability for upcoming matches.
However, repeated Level 1 offences could lead to stricter disciplinary action later in the tournament.
The IPL has maintained a strict stance on player behaviour and on-field conduct in recent seasons.
Mumbai Indians continue difficult campaign
The defeat added to Mumbai Indians’ disappointing IPL 2026 season. The team has already fallen out of playoff contention.
Pandya later admitted the side had performed poorly this season. He also pointed to fielding mistakes and inconsistency as major problems.
The Hardik Pandya fined episode quickly became a major talking point among fans on social media after videos of the incident went viral online.
