Shreyas Iyer scripts history for Punjab Kings in IPL, but he will have to pay a heavy fine

Time of India

2 days ago

IPL 2025
Shreyas Iyer:
Punjab Kings
skipper
Shreyas Iyer
delivered one of the most remarkable knocks in the franchise's history to take them into the
IPL final
after eleven years — but his triumph was also followed by a financial penalty for a slow over rate in the same match.
Iyer stayed unbeaten on 87 off just 41 deliveries, guiding PBKS to a five-wicket win over five-time champions
Mumbai Indians
in the second qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday. It was a nervy chase of 204, but Iyer's clean hitting and steady leadership ensured Punjab reached the target with an over to spare.
This victory means Punjab Kings have reached only their second IPL final, and their first since 2014. But while celebrations continued, the league handed Iyer a fine for breaching the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences. This was Punjab's second such offence of the season.
Iyer fined INR 24 lakh, team members penalised too
The IPL confirmed that as it was Iyer's second slow over-rate offence this season, he was fined INR 24 lakh. All other members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were fined either INR 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their individual match fees — whichever was the lesser amount.
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Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was also penalised for his team's slow over rate in the same match. Since it was MI's third offence under the same code, Pandya was fined INR 30 lakh. The rest of his team, including the Impact Player, were fined either INR 12 lakh or 50 per cent of their match fees, whichever was lower.
Punjab stumble early but Iyer anchors the chase
Punjab's chase didn't start smoothly. Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed by Trent Boult for just 6, leaving them at 13/1 in 2.1 overs. Priyansh Arya, though, brought some early momentum with a quick 20 off 10 balls before falling to Ashwani Kumar at 55/2 in 5.1 overs.
Josh Inglis joined Iyer at the crease and added to the scoring with a fluent 38 off 21 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. But just when Punjab looked in control, Inglis was dismissed by Hardik Pandya, which briefly disrupted their rhythm.
Iyer then found a reliable partner in Nehal Wadhera. The pair stitched together a vital 84-run partnership, keeping the scoreboard moving and the required rate in check. Wadhera fell just short of a fifty, caught for 48 off Ashwani Kumar, but the chase had been stabilised by then.
Shashank Singh was run out for 2, but Iyer remained calm. Punjab crossed 100 in 10.3 overs and 150 in 15.1 overs, with Iyer anchoring the innings all the way.
He finished the match with a towering six in the 19th over, not only sealing Punjab Kings' passage to the final but also reaffirming his reputation as one of the league's most successful captains.
Historic feat for Iyer the captain
This final appearance marks Iyer's third time leading a team to an IPL final — each with a different franchise. He had earlier taken Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020 and won the title with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024. He now stands a chance to become a two-time IPL-winning captain, a feat achieved by only a few.
For Punjab Kings, the win ended an eleven-year wait for an IPL final berth, and Iyer's innings will be remembered as the one that brought them back to the big stage — even if it also came with a fine.