BCCI slaps Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer after a thrilling qualifier 2

A thrilling qualifier in Ahmedabad between Punjab Kings (PBK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) can be done on 2 struggle plays and fireworks, but not without price. Both captains, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya were slapped by the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) with heavy fines for a slower rate of their teams. The match came after the rain interrupted.

PBKs and Mi fail to maintain over-rate

Unseasonal rain delayed proceedings with post-toss, the revised game situation came into the game, extended the match window to two hours. However, even with that pillow, the two sides failed to maintain the necessary over-rate, pulling the competition well at night. The clash, whose first ball was bowled at IST (June 1) at 9:45 pm, ended around 2:00 pm around IST (2 June), when PBK won with spare with one over.

For PBK, this was his second crime of the season, resulting in a fine of ₹ 24 lakh for Iyer. The rest of the squad, including the impact player, was fined 6 lakhs or 25% of their match fee, whichever was low. Meanwhile, MI was even more difficult to hit – this was his third violation, Hardik was docked ₹ 30 lakhs, while his companions were punished ₹ 12 lakhs or 50% of their fees.

However, Hardik, unlike the previous season, avoided suspension this time, as the rules for IPL 2025 have been changed. In this season, the BCCI stated that the captain would not be suspended after repeating the slow code of conduct violations at rates. Instead, they will be slapped with fine and demeriting points instead.

On the field, Iyer led the front with a luxurious unbeaten 87 in 41 balls. His knock helped PBK chase the target and reach his first IPL final since 2014. Punjab will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on June 3 in the final. Neither the team has won the IPL first, fans are guaranteed a new champion this year.