IPL 2025 Code Breach | Patidar & Cummins Fined for Slow Over-Rate in RCB vs SRH

IPL 2025: RCB and SRH Penalised for Slow Over-Rate in Match 65

Summary
Rajat Patidar and Pat Cummins were fined for slow over-rate offences during the IPL 2025 match between RCB and SRH in Lucknow.
As it was RCB’s second offence this season, Patidar was fined ₹24 lakh while teammates were docked 25% of their match fees.
For SRH, this marked the first offence, resulting in a ₹12 lakh fine for Cummins.
IPL Code of Conduct Article 2.22 enforces penalties for over-rate breaches to ensure the game maintains pace and fairness.
The match, which SRH won by 42 runs, also saw notable individual performances overshadowed by post-match sanctions.

IPL 2025: Code of Conduct Clampdown Sees RCB and SRH Captains Fined for Over-Rate Breach

The Indian Premier League’s disciplinary committee handed out over-rate penalties to both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad following their match in Lucknow on May 23, 2025. The IPL 2025 Code of Conduct breach announcement came a day after the high-scoring clash, confirming that both franchises failed to maintain the minimum over-rate as mandated under Article 2.22 of the IPL rulebook.

This was RCB’s second over-rate offence of the season, resulting in a harsher financial penalty for their stand-in skipper Rajat Patidar, who was fined INR 24 lakh. On the other hand, SRH captain Pat Cummins was fined INR 12 lakh for his team’s first offence of the season.

Rajat Patidar Fined ₹24 Lakh for Second Over-Rate Breach of IPL 2025

In the aftermath of Match 65, played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, the IPL authorities issued a strong rebuke to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Captain Rajat Patidar, leading the side in place of Faf du Plessis, was held responsible for the team's slow over-rate. Given it was RCB’s second such offence this season, the penalty was escalated under the Code of Conduct’s provisions.

In addition to Patidar’s ₹24 lakh fine, each member of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, was penalised either ₹6 lakh or 25% of their individual match fee, whichever amount was lesser. This reflects IPL’s increasingly stringent enforcement measures to curb time delays during matches.

Despite Patidar scoring a useful 18 and being involved in RCB’s fightback in the run chase, the post-match headlines revolved around his team’s failure to finish their bowling innings within the stipulated time.

Pat Cummins Also Penalised as SRH Breach Over-Rate in High-Scoring Game

The opposing captain Pat Cummins was also in the line of fire, though the penalty was lighter as it was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s first offence in the season. The Australian speedster and SRH skipper was fined ₹12 lakh, as per IPL norms for initial breaches.

The IPL 2025 code clearly states that the captain is held accountable for team over-rate management, and subsequent breaches invite heavier financial repercussions, including potential match suspensions for repeat offenders. While Cummins led his side admirably with a three-wicket haul, the over-rate lapse brought an unfortunate footnote to an otherwise dominating performance by SRH.

IPL Code of Conduct Article 2.22: Enforcing Fairness and Punctuality

The IPL has long maintained a firm stance on the importance of keeping the game within its time limits. Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct addresses “minimum over-rate offences,” mandating that teams complete their innings within a set timeframe, including allowances for on-field delays.

While occasional delays are tolerated due to strategic timeouts and injury stoppages, repeated failures to bowl 20 overs in the allocated time results in fines, suspensions, or more serious disciplinary action. The BCCI and match officials use advanced over-rate monitoring tools, and captains are routinely warned mid-match when they’re lagging behind.

In recent years, the league has made over-rate enforcement a priority to enhance viewer experience and maintain professional standards in one of the world’s most watched T20 tournaments.

Match 65 Recap: SRH Dominated, But the Clock Ticked Too Long

The over-rate infractions added an ironic twist to what was otherwise a pulsating encounter in Lucknow. Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a massive 231/6, powered by Ishan Kishan’s blistering 94 off 48 balls*. RCB’s chase saw brisk starts from Philip Salt and Virat Kohli, but the middle-order collapse sealed their fate at 189 all out.

While the cricketing action thrilled fans, the match extended beyond the expected time slot, prompting the disciplinary action from the league's governing body the following day.

What’s Next for RCB and SRH?

While these fines are unlikely to derail either side’s season entirely, they are a wake-up call for teams and captains to adhere strictly to over-rate rules. With the playoffs on the horizon, teams cannot afford to accumulate further penalties, as captains risk match suspensions after multiple breaches.

RCB, already in a fragile position in the points table, will hope to tighten their bowling management, especially under Rajat Patidar’s leadership. SRH, who are firm contenders for the playoffs, will aim to bounce back on the discipline front while continuing their momentum on the field.