Credit: IPL
Prior to the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come up with the rule that skippers won’t face match bans due to their teams’ slow over-rate, instead of that they will be getting demerit points. The information was announced during the captains’ meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on March 20, 2025. With the introduction of the new rule, the board is going to follow the ICC, which executes the similar model as punishment for captains.
As per the latest guideline communicated to the captains of all sides, the Level 1 offence will be penalised 25 to 75 percent match fees with demerit points which will be calculated for the upcoming three years. On the other hand, a level 2 offence will lead to four demerit points. A match referee has the liberty to impose a penalty of either a 100 percent or additional demerit points for every four demerit points hoarded. Several demerit points can lead a captain to face a match ban in the future, however, there won’t be any immediate effect on skippers for the slow-over rate.
Hardik Pandya won’t be playing MI’s 2025 opening game due to slow-over rate offence in 2024
Hardik Pandya won’t be featuring in Mumbai Indians' IPL 2025 opening contest against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23. Back in 2024, Mumbai played their last match of the season against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium and Pandya was banned for one game for his team’s slow-over rate.
However, it was Mumbai's final game of the edition, Pandya couldn’t complete the punishment in 2024. This year, he will be bound to stay out of his team’s playing XI against CSK. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the five-time IPL champions against Ruturaj Gaikwad and his men.
