Hardik Pandya will be the last captain to face ban from the BCCI As New Rules Are Implemented
Hardik Pandya will be the last captain to face ban from the BCCI As New Rules Are Implemented
During a recent meeting, the BCCI concluded that captains will no longer receive match bans except in extreme situations.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is likely to be the last skipper in Indian Premier League (IPL) history to face a suspension for over-rate violations. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has updated the playing conditions for the 2025 IPL season, removing the rule that held captains accountable for slow over-rates.
During a meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, attended by all IPL team captains and managers, the board finalized the decision to scrap captain-specific penalties for such infractions.
A report from Cricbuzz indicates that during Thursday’s meeting, the BCCI concluded that captains will no longer receive match bans. Instead, the board has adopted the ICC’s new policy of assigning demerit points to captains, depending on the seriousness of the violation. These points will remain valid for a period of three years, with bans being reserved for only the most severe situations.
In the last IPL season, Hardik and Rishabh Pant, who led the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals respectively, received a one-match suspension due to their teams’ third over-rate violation.
Hardik was handed a one-match ban by IPL governing body at the end of last season after his side failed to complete 20 overs within the stipulated time on three occasions. Since MI’s last over-rate offense took place during their final group stage encounter, Hardik will be serving his one-match ban this season.
This marked his third infraction in IPL 2024, resulting in a fine of Rs 30 lakh besides a one-match suspension.
Consequently, the all-rounder will be unavailable for Mumbai’s first match of the 2025 season against the Chennai Super Kings as he serves this suspension.
“A Level 1 offence will lead to deduction of 25 to 75 percent match fees with demerit points which will be calculated for next three years. Level 2 offence if serious will result in four demerit points. For every four demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could convert into a match ban in the future but for slow overrate there won’t be a match ban,” says BCCI.
Furthermore, Cricbuzz reported that the controversial Impact Player rule is set to be evaluated by the governing council in 2027.
“The IPL will continue to implement the Impact Player rule, allowing teams to substitute one player during a match, at least until 2027,” informs a source.
The new policy will primarily affect franchise captains, who will face penalties in the form of demerit points, while suspensions will only be applied in severe situations.
Mumbai Indians will kick off their season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With Hardik unavailable, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India’s T20I team, will take charge of the Mumbai Indians.
