Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP]Punjab Kings had a solid start to the IPL 2026, securing a fighting victory in their season opener against the Gujarat Titans. After PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and invited the Titans to bat first, GT posted a respectable score of 162 runs in 20 overs. Although the Kings lost a few wickets in quick succession, an exceptional unbeaten half-century from IPL debutant Cooper Connolly helped them chase the target in the final over. However, after the game concluded, Shreyas Iyer was handed a hefty penalty for the Punjab Kings' slow over rate in the match. Shreyas Iyer fined for slow over rate in PBKS Vs GTThe high-voltage encounter between the Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans started at 7.30 PM IST. So, ideally, the Kings were supposed to complete their 20 overs within 1 hour and 30 minutes, excluding the time taken for reviews and strategic time-out breaks. However, with their bowlers conceding plenty of extra runs, PBKS were well short of their target in the stipulated time. Therefore, Shreyas Iyer was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2 of the IPL code of conduct, with the match referee imposing a heavy penalty of INR 12 lakhs. This is Iyer's first over-rate offence in the IPL 2026, and at this stage, the bigger question is whether he will be banned from some matches if his side is found guilty of a similar misconduct in the upcoming fixtures. IPL code of conduct on slow over-rate offence: Will Shreyas Iyer be banned?The slow over-rate offences are covered under Article 2.2 of the IPL code of conduct. According to the rule prior to the 2025 IPL season, captains used to serve a one-match ban on repeated offences of slow over-rate. According to the previous rule, the captain of the team committing a slow over-rate offence for the first time faced a penalty of 12 lakh, while repeating it would simply double the penalty to 24 lakh. Also read: Why Shreyas Iyer Didn't Ask Cooper Connolly To Bowl In PBKS vs GT IPL MatchA third-time breach of the aforementioned IPL code of conduct would lead to a 30 lakh penalty as well as a one-match ban for the captain. This is the reason why Hardik Pandya missed the first match for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025. However, this rule was amended prior to the 2025 season. According to the existing rule, the captain of the bowling team will be handed penalties and in-field restrictions, but can't be banned from IPL matches for a slow over-rate offence. Therefore, while he will be sanctioned with penalties for repeated breaches, Shreyas Iyer won't serve a one-match suspension, unlike Hardik Pandya. The existing IPL code of conduct also has a demerit points system. The players can be banned for one match only upon collecting 4-7 demerit points due to code of conduct breaches other than the slow over rate offence. Shreyas Iyer nurses hand injury before PBKS Vs CSKWhile Shreyas Iyer is set to escape the previously-existing punishment of a one-match suspension for over-rate offences, a freak injury to his hand could make him doubtful for Punjab Kings' upcoming IPL 2026 clash against CSK. Iyer sustained a nasty blow to his right hand while attempting to save himself from Cooper Connolly's powerful shot at the non-striker's end. Although the PBKS captain was optimistic about playing the next match, his participation will possibly be decided by the scan results.Also read: Phil Salt Taunts Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum After Joining RCB For IPL 2026
