Rajat Patidar and Pat Cummins, captains of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) respectively, have been fined following their teams’ slow over-rates during last Friday’s IPL match in Lucknow.
In accordance with the IPL’s code of conduct, this marks RCB’s second infringement of the season following an earlier incident on April 7, leading to a fine of INR 24 lakh for Patidar. Fellow team members each incur either a fine of INR 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever amount is lesser. Cummins, on the other hand, has been fined INR 12 lakh as this is SRH’s first offence.
Even though Jitesh Sharma was the stand-in captain for RCB, Patidar took the brunt of the penalty. This situation mirrors that of Rajasthan Royals where captain Sanju Samson was fined despite Riyan Parag captaining during their prior offence.
Any further slow over-rate violations this season will invite even steeper fines. However, according to the updated rules for the 2025 season, captains will not face suspensions. This amendment changes the rule from last season, although Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya did miss his team’s first game because of a suspension carried over from IPL 2024.
Such adjustments in regulations seem designed to maintain a level playing field whilst encouraging efficiency on the pitch. As ever, the journey of each team, beset with highs and challenges, continues to engage cricket fans worldwide.
