BCCI imposes heavy fines on Rajat Patidar and Pat Cummins – here’s why

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Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has witnessed its share of drama, but the recent clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Lucknow brought disciplinary action to the forefront. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took decisive steps, imposing hefty fines on full time RCB captain Rajat Patidar and SRH skipper Pat Cummins.

The decision was taken after both teams were found guilty of breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct by maintaining a slow over-rate. Patidar, despite playing as an impact substitute while Jitesh Sharma led the side on the field, was slapped with a significant fine of INR 24 lakh.

This penalty was not arbitrary; it was RCB’s second over-rate offence of the season, triggering a steeper punishment as per IPL regulations. The IPL holds the designated team captain responsible for such breaches, regardless of who leads the team during a specific match, a rule that has been enforced consistently across franchises. The repercussions extended beyond Patidar. Every member of RCB’s playing XI, including the Impact Player, was individually fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever was lesser.

Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain leading SRH, faced a different scenario. His team was found guilty of a slow over-rate for the first time this season and, under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct, Cummins was fined INR 12 lakh. The rest of the SRH playing XI, including the Impact Player, received the same individual fines as their RCB counterparts.

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Sunrisers posted a massive 231/6, powered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 94 off 48 balls, including 7 fours and 5 sixes. quickfire knocks from Abhishek Sharma (34 off 17) and Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 13) added crucial support. In response, RCB started brightly with Phil Salt hammering 62 off 32 and Virat Kohli scoring 43 off 25. However, their momentum faded after the openers’ dismissal. Middle-order resistance came briefly from Jitesh Sharma (24 off 15), but wickets tumbled quickly. Mayank Agarwal (11) and Tim David (1) fell cheaply as RCB were bowled out for 189 in 19.5 overs. SRH sealed a 42-run win.

The context of the match added to RCB’s woes. Already assured of a playoff berth, the team’s defeat to SRH, denting their momentum and severely impacting their chances of finishing in the top two of the points table. The timing of the slow over-rate and subsequent fine could not have been worse for a side seeking consistency heading into the crucial playoff phase.

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