Kings XI Punjab may be shining brightly on the field, but captain Shreyas Iyer Got into trouble after being fined Rs 24 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate in the win over Chennai Super Kings. The penalty was Punjab’s second over-over of the season, meaning the consequences went beyond the captain’s reach. Other players, including impact players, were also fined Rs 6 lakh or 25% of the match fee, whichever is lower. However, bigger worries lie ahead for Punjab. As per IPL regulations, another violation in the remaining matches of the season will result in Iyer being fined Rs 30 lakh and suspended for one match. With at least 12 games left in the PBKS league stage, there is now very little room for error. The fine came on a night when Iyer led with the bat in the front and smashed a smooth 50 off 29 balls to help Punjab win by five wickets while chasing 209. His 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera proved decisive in Punjab’s composure in chasing down the target. Priyansh Arya’s explosive 39 off 11 balls set the pace for Punjab’s chase early on, while Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly ensured steady progress in the middle order. But Iyer took control of the match after a cautious start, accelerating against spin and hitting a series of authoritative knocks, including a superb inside six off Rahul Chahar. Earlier, Chennai Super Kings posted 209 for five on the back of Ayush Mhatre’s impressive score of 73 off 43 balls. He shared a 96-run partnership with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had an early deficit Sanzhou Samson. Despite a strong total, CSK could not contain Punjab’s batting depth as from Sarfaraz Khan Shivam Dube ultimately proved to be insufficient. While the result cemented Punjab’s second consecutive victory, a slow and efficient attack added a layer of pressure on Iyer’s captain. With the season still very long, Punjab will need to be cautious as one slip-up could cost their captain a crucial game at a crucial stage of the game.
