Hardik Pandya has been fined 10% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the Indian Premier League code of conduct during Mumbai Indians‘s defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders, the league said on Thursday.
The IPL said the Mumbai captain violated Article 2.2 of the code, relating to the abuse of cricket equipment, during Wednesday’s match at Eden Gardens.
Pandya knocked the bails off the stumps forcefully while returning to his run-up during the 10th over of Kolkata’s innings.
The 32-year-old all-rounder admitted the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee.
Kolkata’s four-wicket victory kept their playoff hopes alive as they climbed to sixth in the standings, while Mumbai remained ninth.
Five-time champions Mumbai were already eliminated from playoff contention after managing only four wins from 13 matches in a disappointing campaign.
