Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 21: Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been penalised by the BCCI for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team’s four-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday night.

Pandya, who recently returned after missing three consecutive matches due to a back spasm, was found guilty of violating Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which relates to the abuse of cricket equipment, ground equipment or fixtures during a match.

As part of the disciplinary action, the Mumbai Indians skipper has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point.

The incident occurred during the 10th over of Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings. After conceding consecutive boundaries, Pandya was seen forcefully knocking the bails off the stumps while walking back to his bowling mark.

The reaction reportedly came moments after Mumbai Indians fielders Deepak Chahar and Robin Minz failed to take a catch near the boundary that could have dismissed Rovman Powell.

Pandya had induced a top edge from Powell, who was then batting on 14 off eight deliveries, but the ball landed safely between the two fielders after neither committed to the catch.

The missed opportunity was followed by back-to-back boundaries from Manish Pandey, visibly frustrating the Mumbai Indians captain.

Powell later went on to score 40 runs off 30 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes, while Manish Pandey was named Player of the Match for his 45-run knock off 33 deliveries on a challenging pitch.

Kolkata Knight Riders eventually secured a four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in the IPL encounter.