Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI), has found himself in the spotlight after being fined ₹12 lakh for his team’s slow over rate during their recent clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. This match was part of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season and took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, March 29. The Mumbai Indians, who have a storied history as five-time champions, faced a tough challenge in this encounter, ultimately losing by 36 runs.

The IPL issued a statement the following day, confirming the penalty imposed on Pandya. It read, “Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during Match No. 9 of the TATA Indian Premier League 2025 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.” The statement further clarified that as this was the team’s first offense of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct—pertaining to minimum over-rate offenses—Pandya was subject to this financial sanction.

In the match itself, Gujarat Titans managed to post a formidable total of 196 runs. The pitch in Ahmedabad, known for its black soil, presented a challenging environment for the chasing team. In response, the Mumbai Indians struggled significantly, finishing their innings at 160 for six, which reflected their difficulties in keeping up with the required run rate. This loss not only marked a setback for MI in this match but also highlighted their ongoing struggles, as it was their second consecutive defeat in the tournament, leaving them without a win thus far.

This incident raises questions about team dynamics and strategy, especially for a franchise as prestigious as the Mumbai Indians. With the season still in its early stages, there is hope among the fans and team management that they can turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matches. However, the fine serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining over rates and adhering to the regulations established by the league. As they look forward, the Mumbai Indians will need to regroup and find ways to execute their strategies more effectively if they wish to reclaim their dominance in the IPL.

Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenges the Indian cricket team has faced over the past nine months, emphasizing their collective effort in achieving success. He believes that every player who participated in the last three ICC tournaments deserves recognition and respect.

In their recent outings in ICC limited-overs tournaments, India has excelled, losing just one match out of 24, with that sole defeat occurring against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final held in Ahmedabad. The team has previously won both the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup at home.

In addition to this success, India faced some setbacks, including an unusual home Test series loss to New Zealand and a defeat in Australia. Reflecting on his leadership, Rohit stated, “Just look at the accomplishments of this team in these major tournaments. To emerge victorious in all but one of them, especially in the final of the World Cup, is quite remarkable.”

He added, “Think about it—if we had won that final, going undefeated across three ICC tournaments would have been unprecedented. Nevertheless, winning 23 out of 24 games is an amazing feat. While it appears impressive from the outside, the journey has had its share of highs and lows.”

Rohit emphasized the importance of celebrating these achievements, acknowledging the hard times the team has endured. He noted, “Everyone involved in these three tournaments deserves admiration,” in a statement shared via a video from Mumbai Indians on their social media.

Interestingly, his remarks coincide with a postponed BCCI meeting meant to outline the team’s future direction. Rohit continued, “Every athlete experiences challenges; during those low moments, the goal is to rebound and turn things around.”

He reflected on the recent lows, such as the home series loss and the performance in Australia, followed by their triumph in the Champions Trophy. These experiences serve as a testament to the ups and downs of life, illustrating how cycles can fluctuate.

Rohit outlined how their approach shifted after India exited the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. “We clarified our expectations with the players, emphasizing how we wanted them to perform. It was crucial to foster an environment where players can express themselves without fear. We did face some setbacks, but we maintained our composure and stayed true to our philosophy.”

He elaborated on building a cohesive squad, stating, “The first step in this process is to assess what the team needs, identify areas of past shortcomings, and understand why things didn’t go our way previously.”

Discussing the disheartening 2024 IPL season, where Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom, Rohit expressed the need for determination and resilience in sports. He focused on the T20 World Cup, which he viewed as a significant opportunity to conclude his career in the format on a high note.

He recalled India’s seven-run victory over South Africa in Barbados to clinch the trophy, pointing out that athletes must showcase grit and resolve during difficult phases. Rohit remarked that the IPL was a challenging period for the team, but there were many opportunities to look forward to after the tournament.

“I was well aware of the upcoming World Cup and shifted my focus accordingly, especially since this was my last T20 World Cup. I was determined to make it worthwhile, and I understood that achieving this would require the support of my teammates. We came together as a unit, and our collective effort throughout the tournament was key,” he shared.

Reflecting on his career of nearly 18 years, he acknowledged the inevitable ups and downs he has faced, which have imparted valuable lessons. Regarding his journey with Mumbai Indians, Rohit noted, “Much has changed since I began—my batting position has shifted from middle order to opening, and my role as captain has evolved. Many teammates from past triumphs are now coaching, highlighting the changes in our dynamics.”

Yet, he emphasized that the core mindset remains unchanged. “My motivation to lead this team and pursue victory has not wavered. Our focus remains on succeeding and securing trophies, which has defined MI’s legacy over the years.”

After their encouraging victory over Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals are set to carry their momentum into a clash against the strong Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, scheduled for March 30, 2025, in Visakhapatnam.

Sunrisers Hyderabad started their season with a bang but faced a setback against LSG, losing the match by five wickets on March 27, 2025. This defeat highlighted vulnerabilities in their high-octane batting order.

As they venture away from home, captain Pat Cummins will need to rally his team for a turnaround performance.

In contrast, Delhi Capitals will be boosted by the return of KL Rahul, who missed the season opener due to becoming a father. Recognized for his crucial role in India’s recent Champions Trophy victory in Dubai, Rahul was acquired by Delhi for a significant Rs 14 crore. Although he brings a wealth of experience, Rahul opted not to captain the side, leaving the leadership to Axar Patel.

Once a mainstay of the Indian team across all formats, Rahul was not part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad last year and had a disappointing IPL season with LSG, which resulted in his release. His previous confrontations with team owner Sanjiv Goenka added to the narrative of his struggles.

Eager for a fresh start at a new franchise, Rahul remarked, “I’ve been out of the T20 team for a while. I know where I stand as a player, and I know what I need to do to get back. This IPL is an opportunity to rediscover my game and push for a return to the T20 squad.”

His recent training sessions with India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Mumbai have set the stage for his comeback in Visakhapatnam, where he aims to stabilize Delhi’s top order, which faltered in the last match. Chasing a target of 211, Delhi was in dire straits at 65/5 but managed a thrilling last-gasp victory thanks to Ashutosh Sharma’s unbeaten 66 off 31 balls and pivotal contributions from others.

Beyond his batting prowess, Rahul is expected to play a significant role in supporting Patel’s captaincy, especially as Patel leads an IPL team for the first time.

DC has historically struggled to clinch matches, but their hard-won triumph against LSG may instill the confidence needed going forward. The team’s potent bowling lineup, led by Mitchell Starc, will be a critical factor in their upcoming match, especially in countering the aggressive opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head from SRH.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had a stellar opening match with a score of 286/6, featuring a stunning 106 runs from Ishan Kishan off just 47 balls. However, they faltered in their subsequent match, only managing 190/9 against LSG.

Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen recognized the need for improvement, stating, “A score of 210-220 would have been par on the wicket. We just didn’t score enough runs.” He noted that losing wickets at strategic moments disrupted their rhythm, emphasizing the need to avoid such pitfalls in the future.

The bowling unit for SRH, spearheaded by Mohammed Shami, Cummins, and Harshal Patel, remains formidable but underperformed against LSG, with Cummins particularly struggling, giving away an average of 15 runs per over. The Australian captain is determined to bounce back and lead effectively.

Teams:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga.

Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (c), KL Rahul (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Abhishek Porel (wk), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav.