Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya have both been fined for their roles in slow over-rate offences in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) Qualifier 2 played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) late Sunday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
MI, asked to bat first, had moments of brilliance. Suryakumar Yadav (44 runs off 26 balls) and Tilak Varma (44 runs off 29 balls) looked in sublime touch but the real charge came in the final overs from Naman Dhir (37 runs off 18 balls) as the five-time champions went past the 200-run mark. At the halfway stage, Mumbai would have fancied their chances, especially with the pressure of a playoff knockout looming large.
Punjab’s response was nothing short of audacious. Shreyas Iyer unleashed a counterattack that stunned Mumbai’s bowlers. His unbeaten 87 off just 41 balls was the defining innings of the night as Punjab completed the chase with an over to spare, the highest successful chase in an IPL playoff match.
Advertisement
Also read: From BCCI Snub to IPL Finals: Shreyas Iyer’s Comeback
Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya Fined After Over-Rate Breach in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2
The match had it all. Rain delays, towering sixes, and a historic chase under the lights. Punjab Kings, led by Iyer, held their nerve to chase down a daunting target of 204 runs against Mumbai Indians and booked a spot in their first IPL final since 2014.
However, the mood was tempered slightly. Both captains, Iyer and Hardik Pandya, were fined for their teams’ slow over rates during the fixture.
For Iyer, it was his second such offence of the season. He was handed a fine of INR 24 lakh, while the rest of the Punjab playing 11 and the Impact Player, were each fined INR 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their match fee, whichever was lower.
"As it was his team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 24 lakhs. The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either INR 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser," IPL said in a media statement.
Pandya, meanwhile, faced a steeper penalty. Since it was Mumbai Indians’ third slow over rate offence this season, the all-rounder was fined INR 30 lakh. The rest of the Mumbai squad were fined INR 12 lakh or 50 per cent of their match fee, whichever was less.
"Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has also been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate. As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 30 Lakh," it added.
Advertisement
Punjab Kings to Face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Final; Mumbai Indians EliminatedÂ
After their massive victory, Punjab Kings marched into the final of the IPL 2025 scheduled against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They are chasing history as they have never won an IPL title.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians got knocked out of the tournament. They had the chance to lift the trophy for the sixth time but could not do so.
Also read: IPL 2025 Finals: All You Need To Know about IPL 2025 Closing Ceremony
