Rishabh Pant Fined 30 Lakh After Third OverRate Offense
1. Rishabh Pant Fined ₹30 Lakh for Third Over-Rate Offense in IPL 2025
Rishabh Pant’s blazing century may have made headlines in Match 70 of IPL 2025, but off the field, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper was dealt a hefty punishment by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI fined Pant INR 30 lakh for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct related to slow over-rate—marking the third such offense by his team this season.
2. Official BCCI Statement on Pant’s Penalty
In a press release issued on Wednesday morning, the BCCI confirmed the fine:
“Rishabh Pant, captain of Lucknow Super Giants, has been fined INR 30 Lakh after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 70 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.”
Since this was LSG’s third over-rate offense in the season, the penalty for Pant was escalated from the standard ₹12 lakh to ₹30 lakh under the IPL’s rules.
3. Entire LSG Squad Also Penalised
In addition to Pant, the entire playing XI of LSG, including the Impact Player, were also fined. Each player was fined either INR 12 lakh or 50% of their match fee, whichever was lower. This broad punishment underscores the seriousness with which the BCCI is now treating repeated over-rate breaches in the league.
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4. Pant’s Century in Vain as RCB Creates History
Rishabh Pant produced a career-defining knock, smashing an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls—his maiden IPL century. His spectacular innings included 11 fours and 8 sixes, as he guided LSG to a formidable total of 227/3 against RCB. Coming in at No. 3, Pant formed a monumental 152-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh, who also played a superb hand with 67 off 38 balls.
Despite this batting masterclass, Pant’s efforts were overshadowed as Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a historic run-chase.
5. RCB Chase Down 227 with Authority
Facing a do-or-die scenario to avoid the eliminator, Royal Challengers Bengaluru responded emphatically. Jitesh Sharma played a blinder, remaining unbeaten on 85 off just 33 balls, while Virat Kohli provided the perfect platform with a steady 54-run knock.
RCB chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, finishing on 230/4, and became the first team in IPL history to win all away games in a single season—a record that underscores their dominance on the road.
6. What This Means for the Playoff Scenario
With this win, RCB climbed to second on the IPL 2025 points table, thus qualifying directly for Qualifier 1. They will now face table-toppers Punjab Kings in a high-stakes clash on Thursday. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans slipped to third and will now meet Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday.
The loser of Qualifier 1 will still have a shot at redemption, as they will play the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 for a place in the IPL 2025 Final, scheduled for next Tuesday in Ahmedabad.
7. Pant’s Season: A Bittersweet Finish
While Pant’s form with the bat finally exploded at the right time, his season has been a mixed bag. Prior to this knock, he struggled to convert starts and lacked consistency. However, this blistering century has reminded everyone of his game-changing ability.
Unfortunately, the repeated over-rate breaches have raised questions about his captaincy acumen and on-field decision-making. With a fine of ₹30 lakh and his team missing out on the top four, Pant’s season ends on a bittersweet note.
8. Growing Concern Over Over-Rate Breaches in IPL
Pant’s penalty reflects a broader concern in the IPL over slow over rates, which have increasingly drawn criticism from fans, broadcasters, and administrators. Despite on-field clocks and penalties, several teams have struggled to complete their overs within the stipulated time.
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With Pant’s team being punished thrice this season alone, the IPL Governing Council may need to consider stricter deterrents such as run penalties or point deductions to ensure compliance.
9. BCCI Sends a Strong Message
By penalising not only Pant but the entire playing XI, the BCCI has sent a clear warning to all franchises. As the IPL continues to grow in stature and viewership, maintaining the pace of play has become essential for commercial as well as sporting reasons.
This collective punishment is a reminder that team discipline is as crucial as individual brilliance in modern T20 cricket.
10. Conclusion: A Night of Highs and Lows
Match 70 of IPL 2025 will be remembered for both Rishabh Pant’s heroics with the bat and the team’s failure with the ball and time management. While Pant’s century electrified the Lucknow crowd, it was not enough to script a victory—or avoid the ire of the BCCI.
As IPL 2025 heads into the playoffs, the stakes are higher than ever, and teams will not only need match-winners but also leaders who can manage time, pressure, and strategy effectively.
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