Sports
BCCI Slams Shreyas Iyer with Heavy Penalty After PBKS’ IPL 2025 Final Qualification – What Went Wrong?
Ahmedabad, India, June 2, 2025 – Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer led his team to the IPL 2025 final with a thrilling win, but the celebration was overshadowed by a hefty penalty from the BCCI. Just days before the showdown against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer faced punishment for a rules breach, sparking debate among fans and experts. Here’s the story behind the controversy and its ripple effects.
What Iyer Did Wrong
The BCCI pinpointed a clear violation:
- Code of Conduct Breach: Iyer’s team maintained a slow over-rate during the Qualifier 2 match against Mumbai Indians on June 1, 2025, falling short of the required pace.
- Post-Match Comment: In the press conference, Iyer hinted at frustration, saying, “Some delays cost us time we didn’t have.”
- Team Issue: The slow pace forced PBKS to adjust field placements, impacting their strategy in the final overs.
This marked PBKS’s second over-rate offense of the season.
The BCCI’s Punishment
The board acted swiftly:
- Fine: Iyer was fined ₹24 lakh, the highest for a captain’s second over-rate breach in IPL 2025.
- Team Penalty: Each PBKS playing XI member, including the impact player, was fined ₹6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever is less.
- Warning: The BCCI issued a formal notice, urging Iyer to uphold the game’s standards as a leader.
The penalties followed a review by the disciplinary committee.
How It Unfolded
The timeline tells the story:
- Match Day: PBKS chased 204 in Qualifier 2, but delays in overs sparked BCCI scrutiny, with a disputed wide call in the 18th over adding tension.
- Post-Match: Iyer’s comment about “delays” raised eyebrows, though he avoided direct criticism of officials.
- BCCI Review: A three-hour meeting on June 2 confirmed the breach, leading to the fines.
The incident unfolded amid PBKS’s five-wicket victory.
Voices From the Cricket World
Reactions are mixed:
- Supporters: Harbhajan Singh tweeted, “Fining a captain for passion seems harsh—let them play.” PBKS coach Brad Haddin said, “Shreyas led us to the final; this feels overblown.”
- Critics: A BCCI official stated, “Rules keep the game fair—captains must comply.” A cricket ethics panel member added, “Leaders set the tone for young fans.”
The divide shows the fine line between passion and discipline.
What It Means for the Final
The penalty won’t derail Iyer:
- He’s Playing: The fine doesn’t affect his eligibility for the June 3 final at Narendra Modi Stadium.
- Mind Games: RCB may try to exploit Iyer’s focus, given the timing of the controversy.
- Future Stakes: Repeated breaches could hurt Iyer’s shot at India’s captaincy, as the BCCI values composure.
The final remains Iyer’s chance to shine.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t an isolated case:
- BCCI’s Tough Stance: Iyer is the third captain fined for over-rate breaches this season, after Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant.
- Umpiring Tensions: Players are frustrated with tight calls, with 74% of IPL 2024 matches seeing on-field disputes, a trend carrying into 2025.
- High-Stakes IPL: The pressure of tight schedules and big crowds is testing captains’ cool.
The incident highlights the challenges of modern cricket.
