“That is out of my control. Last year what occurred is part of the sport. We bowled the last over one-and-a-half or two minutes late. At that point I didn’t know the consequences,” Hardik said. “It is unfortunate, but the rules say it. I will have to go with the process. Next season, if they continue or not continue [with this rule], I think that is on the higher authorities. They can definitely see what best can be done.
“Surya, obviously, leads India [in T20Is] as well. When I’m not there, he is the ideal choice in this format.”
Hardik was penalised for maintaining a slow over-rate in MI’s last league-stage game of IPL 2024, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Since that was his third offence of the season, Hardik was given a one-match suspension for his next IPL game, along with an INR 30 lakh fine. That leaves MI without both Hardik and the injured Jasprit Bumrah for their game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on March 23.
Hardik will be available for MI’s second game, also away, in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29. MI’s first home match is two days later, when they host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31. They then play two matches in first week of April: LSG in Lucknow on April 4 and at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.