Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was fined for a slow over-rate after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings wrapped up in just over two hours during their IPL 2026 clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. The decision also highlighted how unusually long breaks and stoppages in the heat affected the pacing of play.
Key takeaways
- Hardik Pandya was penalised under the IPL Code of Conduct for maintaining a slow over-rate.
- As it was MI’s first over-rate breach of the season, the fine was set at Rs 12 lakh.
- RCB all-rounder Tim David received a 25% cut in his match fee and a one demerit point.
- David was sanctioned for not following an umpire’s instruction related to handing over the ball.
- The first innings took 2 hours and 1 minute, while the second innings ended in 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Over-rate sanction for Hardik Pandya
During the match, the pace of play slowed slightly as several brief interruptions were taken by players from both sides in the hot and humid conditions. RCB’s innings concluded in a little over two hours, and the timing discrepancy was reflected in the official over-rate review.
The IPL said Hardik Pandya, as captain, was fined for the slow over-rate. It noted that this was Mumbai Indians’ maiden offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials, which is why the sanction was issued at Rs 12 lakh.
Tim David penalised for breaching umpire instruction
RCB’s disciplinary issues did not end with the over-rate matter. Tim David was also fined after being found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials in the same game against Mumbai Indians.
The IPL stated that David violated Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct. The sanction comprised two parts: a deduction of 25% from his match fee and the award of one demerit point. The decision followed the umpiring team’s report that David repeatedly failed to hand over the ball when instructed during RCB’s innings.
David’s batting contribution in the innings included a quick 34 not out off 16 balls, featuring three sixes and two fours, but the disciplinary action related to two separate incidents during the middle overs.
What happened with the ball
The IPL explained that the first incident came after the umpires changed the ball in the 18th over (17.2) of RCB’s innings. David was reported to have wanted to take a look at the ball and did not hand it over, despite being asked to do so more than once.
The second incident occurred in the 20th over (19.2). In that over, David again did not hand over the ball to the umpires, which the league described as a repeated failure to comply with umpire instructions or directives. It added that David admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction.
