Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer (ANI Image)
Punjab Kings may be on top on the field, but skipper Shreyas Iyer has landed in trouble after being fined INR 24 lakh for maintaining a slow pace during their win over Chennai Super Kings.This penalty comes as Punjab’s second offense this season, meaning the consequences extend beyond the captain. The rest of the players, including the influential player, were also fined INR 6 lakh or 25 percent of the match fee, whichever is less.
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However, the biggest worry for Punjab still lies ahead. As per the Indian Premier League regulations, any further violation during the remainder of the season will result in Iyer being fined INR 30,000 and given a one-match ban.
With PBKS at least 12 games away in the league stage, the margin for error is now very slim.The fine came on a night when Iyer led from the front with the bat, scoring a fluent 50 off 29 balls to cement Punjab’s five-wicket win while chasing 209. His 59-run stand with Nihal Wadhera proved decisive as Punjab chased down the target with composure.Punjab’s chase was set up early by Priyansh Arya’s explosive 39 off 11 balls, while Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly ensured a steady lead through the middle.
But it was Iyer who took matters into his own hands after a cagey start, rushing up against players and playing a host of powerful shots, including a stunning finish from Rahul Chahar.Earlier, Chennai Super Kings had scored 209 for five, buoyed by Aayush Mhatre’s 73 runs off 43 balls. He shared a 96-run partnership with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who turned 28, after an early setback with the dismissal of Sanju Samson.Despite the strong total, CSK were unable to contain Punjab’s batting depth, as late contributions from Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dubey ultimately proved insufficient.While the result strengthened Punjab’s position with a second successive win, the sluggish, over-the-top attack added a layer of pressure on the Iyer captaincy. With the long season still to come, Punjab will have to be careful, as any further error could see their captain miss a crucial match at a crucial stage of the tournament.