In a high-octane clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Punjab Kings (PBKS) scripted a remarkable four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 49 of IPL 2025, further cementing their place in the top four. But while the team celebrated a crucial victory, captain Shreyas Iyer faced the heat off the field, slapped with a ₹12 lakh fine for a slow over-rate offence under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
Also Read: CSK Qualification Scenario: Can MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings Qualify For IPL 2025 Playoffs After Defeat Against Punjab Kings?
Shreyas Iyer’s Classy 72: A Captain’s Knock Under Pressure
It was a night where Shreyas Iyer’s bat did all the talking. Chasing a competitive 191-run target, the PBKS skipper unleashed a stroke-filled 72 off 41 balls, peppered with 5 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing why he’s regarded as one of the league’s most dependable chasers. Coming in early after an opening wobble, Iyer stitched a crucial 72-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 36 balls), anchoring the innings and shifting momentum back in Punjab’s favour. His ability to rotate strike, pick gaps, and launch calculated assaults—particularly his 20-run blitz in the 17th over off Matheesha Pathirana—was the turning point that deflated CSK’s bowling attack. Despite a few stutters in the final overs, Punjab sealed the win with two balls to spare, reaching 194/6 and moving to second on the points table with 13 points, inching closer to playoff qualification.
The Over-Rate Offence: Fine Overshadows a Stellar Performance
While the win boosted PBKS’ playoff hopes, the slow over-rate incident cast a shadow on Iyer’s otherwise flawless night. This being PBKS’ first such offence of the season
Read More