Mullanpur: Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against Gujarat Titans (GT). The penalty came despite PBKS registering a thrilling three-wicket victory in their season opener.
IPL code of conduct violation
The fine was imposed under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate offences. According to an official statement, this was PBKS’ first such offence of the season, resulting in a monetary penalty for the skipper.
“As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined Rs 12 lakh,” the IPL media release stated.
Slow over-rate violations have been a recurring issue in the IPL, with captains being held responsible for ensuring timely completion of overs.Despite the penalty, PBKS began their campaign on a positive note, chasing down a target of 163 with five balls to spare. The match, however, was far from straightforward as Punjab faced a mid-innings collapse before regaining control.
Young Australian batter Cooper Connolly emerged as the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls on his IPL debut. His composed innings ensured PBKS crossed the finish line in 19.1 overs.
Connolly was well supported early in the innings by Prabhsimran Singh, who scored 37 off 24 balls. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for the chase.
Bowlers restrict Gujarat Titans
Earlier, PBKS bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal played a key role in the middle overs, returning figures of 2/28 in his four overs.
He was ably supported by pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak, who picked up 3/34, helping Punjab maintain control over the scoring rate.
For Gujarat Titans, skipper Shubman Gill top-scored with 39 off 27 balls, while Jos Buttler contributed 38 off 33 balls. However, the team failed to build substantial partnerships, resulting in a below-par total.
Late drama in the chase
Punjab Kings’ chase saw dramatic twists, especially after a brilliant spell from Prasidh Krishna, who claimed 3/29. His efforts triggered a collapse that briefly put Gujarat Titans back in contention.
Wickets of key players including Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis increased the pressure on PBKS during the latter stages of the innings.
Spinner Washington Sundar also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, further tightening the contest.
However, Connolly held his nerve and guided the team home with a mix of calculated aggression and composure. His innings included five sixes and five boundaries, highlighting his ability to balance risk and control.
Conclusion
While the fine for slow over-rate has put a minor dent in Punjab Kings’ otherwise successful outing, the team will take confidence from their strong start to the IPL 2026 season. Shreyas Iyer and his side will now aim to improve their on-field discipline while building on their winning momentum.
With emerging talents like Cooper Connolly stepping up and experienced players contributing across departments, PBKS appear well-equipped for the challenges ahead in the tournament.