PBKS Vs MI, IPL 2025: Iyer, Pandya Fined After Qualifier 2 – Check Here Why

A thrilling night of high-stakes cricket at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) book their spot in the IPL 2025 final after defeating five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) by five wickets. However, both captains — Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya — were hit with heavy fines for maintaining slow over-rates during Qualifier 2 on Sunday.

In an official statement, the IPL confirmed penalties for both skippers and their teams under the league’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences.

Slow-over Rate

"Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during Qualifier 2 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

"As it was his team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 24 lakhs. The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either INR 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser," the IPL statement read.

It added: "Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has also been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate. As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 30 Lakh.

"The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either INR 12 Lakh or 50 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser."

Iyer's Storm After Rain Delay

The match, which was delayed by over two hours due to rain immediately after the toss, resumed under a revised IPL 2025 rule that permits a delayed start of up to two hours for playoff matches. Despite the damp beginning, the on-field action did not disappoint.

Mumbai Indians batted first and posted a competitive 203/6, thanks to aggressive contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Naman Dhir. Their fast-paced knocks ensured MI crossed the 200-mark on a tricky surface.

Innings For Ages

But PBKS answered with poise and firepower. In what turned out to be one of the most memorable playoff chases in IPL history, captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87 off just 41 deliveries. His knock, decorated with eight towering sixes and five boundaries, sealed the win for Punjab with six balls to spare.

The chase was bolstered by Josh Inglis’ 21-ball 38, which included a game-turning 20-run over off Jasprit Bumrah, and a composed 48 off 29 balls from Nehal Wadhera. Despite a mid-innings run-out scare and late nerves, PBKS never lost grip of the chase.

The win propelled PBKS into their second IPL final — their first since 2014 — and set up a mouthwatering summit clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are also hunting for their maiden title. The 2025 final will thus mark the first time since 2016 that the league will witness a brand-new champion.