Punjab Kings may be off to a flying start in Indian Premier League 2026, but their captain Shreyas Iyer has found himself on the wrong side of the rulebook—twice.

Despite leading Punjab Kings to back-to-back victories, Iyer has been hit with hefty fines for maintaining a slow over-rate, turning a winning start into a costly one.

Strong Start for Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings have begun their IPL 2026 campaign in dominant fashion:

• Defeated Gujarat Titans in their opening match
• Followed it up with a crucial win over Chennai Super Kings

In the latest match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Punjab chased down a challenging 210-run target in under 19 overs, showcasing strong batting depth and confidence.

Double Penalty for Slow Over-Rate

However, the celebrations were dampened by disciplinary action from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

After the Chennai match:

• Shreyas Iyer was fined ₹24 lakh
• This was his second slow over-rate offence this season

Earlier, in the match against Gujarat Titans, he had already been fined ₹12 lakh for the same violation.

👉 Total penalty so far: ₹36 lakh in just two matches

The fines were imposed under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with maintaining the required over-rate during matches.

Entire Team Also Penalised

The second offence triggered stricter penalties—not just for the captain but for the entire playing group.

• All players, including impact substitutes, were fined
• Each player had to pay ₹6 lakh or 25% of match fees (whichever is lower)

This included Priyansh Arya, who had earlier impressed with a match-winning performance.

Performance vs Discipline: A Mixed Outcome

While Punjab Kings have delivered on the field, the repeated slow over-rate violations highlight an area of concern.

Maintaining over-rate is crucial in T20 cricket:

• Ensures smooth match flow
• Avoids delays in broadcast schedules
• Keeps the game viewer-friendly

Repeated breaches can lead to:

• Heavier fines
• Possible suspensions for captains if violations continue

Can Punjab Fix This Issue?

With strong performances already in place, Punjab Kings now face the challenge of balancing aggressive gameplay with disciplined time management.

If the team continues to delay overs:

• Financial penalties will increase
• Leadership pressure on Iyer could grow

However, if addressed early, this issue can be corrected without affecting their campaign.