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Punjab Kings (PBKS) got the better of Gujarat Titans (GT) in Tuesday's IPL 2026 match, with Cooper Connolly (72*) starring in their three-wicket win.
Mullanpur: Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer reacts in pain after getting hit by a shot during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 cricket match between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, in Mullanpur, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (PTI Photo/Shiva Sharma) (PTI03_31_2026_000481A)
(PTI)Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer has been handed a hefty fine of ₹12 lakh after his side maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 opener against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
“Punjab Kings (PBKS) Captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 4 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh,” an official statement from the IPL said.
“As this was his team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 12 lakhs," the statement added.
The Punjab Kings captain was on the receiving end of things in IPL 2025 as well. His team maintained a slow over-rate twice last season.
On the first offence, Iyer was fined ₹12 lakh, whereas on the second offence, he was fined ₹24 lakh.
Shreyas Iyer suffers an injury scare
During Punjab Kings' run chase on Tuesday, Iyer suffered an injury scare after he was hit on the wrist at the non-striker's end following an aggressive drive from Cooper Connolly. However, he seemed to ease off on injury concerns, saying that his hand is the same as before.
“All I can say about the hand is that it is nice, the same as it was before. I do not want to jinx anything,” he said.
Coming to the match, the Punjab Kings had been set a target of 163 by the Gujarat Titans. The hosts, however, found themselves in trouble at 118/6 in the 15th over following the dismissal of Marcus Stoinis.
However, Cooper Connolly, who walked out to bat at No.3, impressed on his IPL debut as he slammed 72 runs from just 44 balls, hitting five fours and as many sixes. He forged a 76-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh for the second wicket before the IPL 2025 runners-up lost wickets in quick succession.
However, Connolly's 21-run stand with his Australian teammate Xavier Bartlett was pivotal as Punjab Kings chased down the total with three wickets and five balls to spare. Punjab Kings will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on Friday.
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