Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel has been fined INR 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate during their win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 55 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Monday, May 11.
DC and their captain, Axar, were fined after breaching Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to the minimum over-rate offence. However, since it was their first offence of the season, the left-handed batter received the aforementioned
fine.
It is worth mentioning that Axar is not the only captain to have been fined for a slow over-rate this season, as it is generally considered a very common offence in the game. Other captains to have been fined for the same include Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane (INR 12 lakh) during their loss to the Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings’ Shreyas Iyer and CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, amongst others.
Despite the offence committed by the Capitals, the 2020 finalists secured an emphatic three-wicket victory over PBKS in Dharamshala to keep their slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs alive. DC are currently seventh in the standings, having accumulated 10 points from 12 matches and thus ending their two-match losing streak.
Axar himself had a great outing against PBKS on Monday. The all-rounder had struggled with the bat all season long, averaging less than 10. The left-hander, however, returned to form and went on to score 56 off just 30 balls to make sure that his side did not fumble after losing the top order early in their run chase. The skipper, however, did not use himself as a bowling option, with the conditions being ideal for fast bowling. DC went on and used seam bowlers for the entirety of 20 overs.
DC have got two matches left in the 2026 IPL season. Their next outing is against the Rajasthan Royals at home before ending the campaign against KKR at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, 24 May.
