Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians were handed another setback in a difficult IPL 2026 season after the skipper Hardik Pandya was fined for breaching the league’s Code of Conduct during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The IPL fined Pandya 10 per cent of his match fee and added one demerit point to his disciplinary record after an on-field incident during KKR’s chase. The all-rounder was found guilty under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with misuse or damage of cricket equipment and ground fixtures.
The moment took place during the 10th over of the second innings. While walking back to begin his run-up, Pandya angrily struck the stumps, sending the bails off with force. Match referee Rajiv Seth reviewed the incident, and Pandya later accepted the punishment without contesting it.
Code and Conduct of IPL
As per IPL rules, players who collect between four and seven demerit points during the season can face a one-match suspension, making discipline an important factor as the tournament progresses.It was another frustrating night overall for Mumbai Indians. Defending a target of 148, MI failed to stop KKR, who chased the score down with seven balls remaining to stay alive in the playoff race. Pandya also had a quiet outing personally, finishing with figures of 0/13 from his two overs.
Pandya admits his mistakes
Speaking after the loss, the MI captain admitted the team fell short with the bat and failed to build the kind of partnerships needed to post a competitive total. “We were probably 15 to 20 runs behind where we should have been,” Pandya said. “Losing wickets early in the powerplay hurt us badly. If Tilak and I had stayed at the crease longer, we could have steadied the innings and pushed the score further.”
He also openly addressed Mumbai Indians’ struggles in the field this season, hinting that repeated lapses and inconsistency have played a major role in the team’s disappointing campaign.For MI fans, the defeat was another reminder of how difficult this season has been missed opportunities, poor execution in key moments, and now disciplinary concerns adding to the pressure on the captain.
Read More
Mumbai Indians in IPL season 19
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have endured a tough and underwhelming season, falling short of playoff qualification after securing only four wins. With their campaign already over in terms of contention, they will play their final league fixture of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, bringing a disappointing season to a close.
ALSO READ: Manish Pandey The Unforgettable Hero Of IPL: Pandey’s Shocking Stats Will Blow Your Mind
