Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings, has been fined ₹12 lakh after his team was found guilty of maintaining a slow over-rate during their opening match of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The penalty makes Iyer the first player in the 2026 season to breach the IPL Code of Conduct.
Why Was Shreyas Iyer Penalised?
According to an official IPL statement, Punjab Kings failed to complete their overs within the stipulated time during Match No. 4 against Gujarat Titans at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
As per Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate violations, a first offence results in a fine of ₹12 lakh for the captain.
Not the First Time
This is not the first instance of Iyer facing such action. During the previous IPL season, he was penalised twice for similar offences, indicating a recurring issue with over-rate management.
Punjab Kings Secure Narrow Victory
Despite the penalty, Punjab Kings registered a thrilling three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.
Chasing 163, PBKS were cruising at 110/2 before a sudden collapse saw them slip to 118/6. However, a composed innings from Cooper Connolly ensured the team crossed the finish line.
Connolly remained unbeaten on 72 off 44 balls and was named Player of the Match for his match-winning performance.
Gujarat Titans’ Fightback Falls Short
Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted a competitive total, with Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler contributing crucial runs.
A late burst from Prasidh Krishna nearly turned the game, as he picked up three quick wickets to trigger a middle-order collapse for Punjab.
However, the Titans’ total proved insufficient as Punjab held their nerve in the final overs.
What This Means for IPL 2026
The incident highlights the IPL’s strict enforcement of over-rate rules, with captains expected to maintain discipline and efficiency on the field.
Repeated violations could result in heavier fines or match suspensions as the tournament progresses.
