Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has become the third IPL captain to be ruled in breach of the league’s Code of Conduct in the ongoing 19th edition. The BCCI moved decisively against the Chennai leader, even though his side registered its first victory of the season on Saturday against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk.
Gaikwad received a fine after CSK was found to have fallen short of the required over rate during the match. As it was the team’s inaugural violation under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct—covering minimum over-rate requirements—he was penalised INR 12 lakh.
IPL 2026 has already produced several similar over-rate cases within the opening 17 matches. Shreyas Iyer has been named twice as an offender. He was the first player to be sanctioned this season after Punjab Kings recorded a slow over rate versus Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh on March 31. Iyer then breached the same regulation again in the next match against Chennai on April 2, and because it was his second offence, he was fined INR 24 lakh.
Also READ: Rajasthan Royals manager’s dugout phone incident triggers IPL controversy; Lalit Modi calls it out, urging “immediate action”.
Shubman Gill, captain of Gujarat Titans, was the other case highlighted by the BCCI after he was found guilty during the clash against Delhi Capitals on April 8.
Nitish Rana not spared: The BCCI also announced a separate disciplinary action on Sunday, charging Delhi Capitals batter Nitish Rana after he clashed with an umpire during the team’s match against CSK. The altercation took place when the match official did not permit Rana’s teammate Tristan Stubbs to change his gloves in the 19th over, and Rana ultimately lost his wicket in the ensuing sequence.
Rana was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct. The BCCI said he violated Article 2.3, which concerns the “use of an audible obscenity during a match.” Rana acknowledged the charge and accepted the sanction imposed by the Match Referee.
CSK’s first win in IPL 2026: The five-time champions finally broke through on Saturday, beating Delhi Capitals by 23 runs. After three matches without a win, Sanju Samson returned to form in style, smashing an unbeaten 115. He also built a 113-run second-wicket partnership with Ayush Mhatre as CSK posted 212 for two, before Delhi Capitals were restricted by Jamie Overton’s standout spell of 4/18 and were bowled out for 189.
For CSK, it was a breakthrough result after a quiet start to the campaign, while Delhi suffered their second consecutive loss.
