Mumbai, April 5: Punjab Kings are riding high on the field, but their captain, Shreyas Iyer, has found himself in hot water after being fined ₹24 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during their recent victory over Chennai Super Kings.

This penalty marks Punjab’s second over-rate offense of the season, extending the repercussions beyond just the captain. The entire playing XI, including the Impact Player, has also been fined ₹6 lakh or 25 percent of their match fees, whichever is lower.

The bigger concern for Punjab lies ahead. According to IPL regulations, another breach during the remainder of the season will result in Iyer facing a ₹30 lakh fine and a one-match suspension. With at least 12 matches remaining in the league stage, the margin for error is now razor-thin.

The fine comes on a night when Iyer shone with the bat, scoring a fluent 50 off 29 balls, helping Punjab secure a five-wicket win while chasing a target of 209. His 59-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera was pivotal as Punjab chased down the target with poise.

Priyansh Arya set the tone early with an explosive 39 off just 11 balls, while Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly ensured steady progress through the middle overs. However, it was Iyer who took charge after a cautious start, accelerating against the spinners and showcasing a variety of commanding shots, including a standout inside-out six off Rahul Chahar.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings had posted a formidable 209 for five, led by Ayush Mhatre’s impressive 73 off 43 balls. He formed a 96-run partnership with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who contributed 28 runs, following an early setback with the dismissal of Sanju Samson.

Despite the strong total, CSK could not contain Punjab’s batting depth, as late contributions from Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube fell short.

While this victory strengthens Punjab’s position with a second consecutive win, the slow over-rate offense adds pressure to Iyer’s captaincy. With a long season ahead, Punjab must tread carefully, as another misstep could see their skipper miss a crucial match during a decisive stage of the tournament.