In a dramatic turn of events at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer was fined ₹12 lakh by the BCCI for a slow over-rate during their high-stakes clash against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season.
Punishment Follows Big Win Against Chennai
Despite the disciplinary action, Iyer led his side to a vital four-wicket victory over Chennai, pushing Punjab Kings to second place on the points table. The penalty came after on-field umpires Akshay Totre and Anish Sahasrabudhe ruled that Punjab fell behind the required over-rate, resulting in only four fielders being allowed outside the circle during the final over.
According to IPL’s official statement, “As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct, Iyer was fined INR 12 lakh.” Should the team repeat the offense, the skipper could face a ₹24 lakh fine, with monetary penalties also extending to the rest of the squad.
Playoff Picture Shifts as Punjab Climbs
Punjab’s win significantly impacts the ongoing IPL 2025 playoff race. With 13 points from as many matches and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.19, they trail just behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who lead the table with 14 points and an NRR of 0.52.
Here’s how the current top four stack up:
| Team | Points | Matches Played | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCB | 14 | 10 | +0.52 |
| PBKS | 13 | 13 | +0.19 |
| MI | 12 | 13 | +0.88 |
| GT | 12 | 13 | +0.26 |
Notably, Punjab’s win also eliminated Chennai Super Kings from playoff contention, tightening the battle among the remaining top teams.
Heroics with Bat and Ball Seal the Deal
Iyer showcased his leadership with the bat, smashing a fluent 72 off 41 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and four sixes. “I love chasing on any field. I thrive when the pressure is high,” he said during the post-match presentation.
Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh also made a valuable half-century, but it was Yuzvendra Chahal who sparked the turnaround. His hat-trick as part of a 4/32 spell dismantled Chennai’s middle order, restricting them to 190. Punjab chased it down in 19.4 overs, finishing at 194/6 despite late hiccups.
Looking ahead, Punjab Kings face Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 in Dharamsala—a must-watch fixture as the playoff race heats up.