Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 7 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday, April 03.
As this was his team’s second offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 24 lakh. The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, will be fined either
INR six lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser.
Iyer openly accepted that his team was indeed very slow in maintaining a healthy over rate, and that it remains one of the only concerning factors for the Punjab-based franchise at the moment.
"Over-rate is something we should look at (moving forward) and it is the only part we should focus on," the PBKS skipper admitted during the post-match presentation on Friday.
"The way we started today, that was an exceptional start for us. I feel the way they (Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilizes the rhythm for us. I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team. Whenever we are in a pressure situation, people are aware on how to handle it," Iyer said.
"We just decided in the dressing room that we will play a brand of cricket to impress each other – that gives us a certain sort of clarity and basically challenges each other. Getting 39 off 11 balls – that is the start we require," he said further.
He also revealed the reason behind forwarding his message to the bowlers early on and how they were able to restrict the flow of runs very early on in the match. However, star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal could complete only three overs, to which Iyer explained that he wanted to challenge the CSK batters with pace rather than spin, especially during the death overs.
"(On his message to the bowlers) It was a belter to bat on, but the way we started was 25 off three overs. It is important we remain calm. (On not bowling out Chahal) decided to go with the seamers (seeing the batters they had). We all know how impressive he (Chahal) is, and whenever in doubt, I go to him," Iyer concluded.
(Inputs from IPL)
