The Indian Premier League 2026 has been packed with momentum swings, playoff positioning battles and standout performances—but it has also brought a steady stream of disciplinary action. With 46 of the 70 league matches completed, Punjab Kings sit top of the table on 13 points from nine outings, yet the spotlight has frequently shifted to breaches of the league’s Code of Conduct and related match protocols. So far, eight players and team personnel have been sanctioned, with punishments ranging from fines to demerit points as officials crack down on conduct both on and off the field.
Key takeaways
- Punishment has already reached eight individuals across the tournament, covering both match-day behaviour and protocol violations.
- Abhishek Sharma of Sunrisers Hyderabad was penalised in Match 6 for using an audible obscenity during play against Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Romi (Ravinder Singh Bhinder) of Rajasthan Royals received a Rs 1 lakh fine after being caught using a mobile phone in the dugout versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Several incidents involved confrontations with match officials or delayed compliance with instructions, including fines for slow over-rates for multiple captains.
- Riyan Parag drew attention in Match 40 for a vape-related offence in the dressing room, an act deemed to bring the game into disrepute.
A growing list of IPL 2026 offences
The disciplinary cases began early. In Match 6, Abhishek Sharma of Sunrisers Hyderabad was hit with a penalty equal to 25% of his match fee after an audible obscenity was heard during the contest against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Off-field behaviour then became another focus. In Match 16, Rajasthan Royals team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder—also known as Romi Bhinder—was fined Rs 1 lakh after officials found him using a mobile phone from the dugout during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a clear breach of IPL protocols.
Tempers flared again in Match 18. Nitish Rana, playing for Delhi Capitals, was sanctioned after an argument with the fourth umpire over a request to change a glove for Tristan Stubbs. The outcome included both a fine and a demerit point.
There was also an on-field disagreement in Match 20 involving Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Tim David was fined after he briefly refused to return the ball to the umpires during the game against Mumbai Indians, an action treated as disobedience to official instructions.
Emotions, celebrations and incidents involving officials
Celebrations and reactions have not always stayed within acceptable boundaries. In Match 32, Rajasthan Royals pacer Nandre Burger was fined for an animated celebration following Rishabh Pant’s dismissal, with the response judged as provocative.
In Match 38, young Kolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi was punished for venting frustration after a contentious dismissal connected to obstructing the field. His reaction included slamming his bat and throwing his helmet, leading to disciplinary action.
One of the tournament’s most discussed episodes came in Match 40. Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was fined for using a vape in the dressing room against Punjab Kings. The league considered the act a violation of Indian law and a factor that brought the match into disrepute.
Delhi Capitals’ Kyle Jamieson also faced sanctions in Match 43 versus Rajasthan Royals. He was warned and handed a demerit point for an aggressive send-off aimed at youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Captains fined for slow over-rates
Beyond individual flare-ups, slow over-rates have become a major concern. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was fined twice, while other captains and senior players including Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings), Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) and Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders) were also penalised for slow bowling tempo.
Complete list of breaches and penalties (IPL 2026)
- Match 4: PBKS vs GT — Shreyas Iyer — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 12 lakh
- Match 6: KKR vs SRH — Abhishek Sharma — Article 2.3 of Code of Conduct — Fined 25% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 7: CSK vs PBKS — Shreyas Iyer — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 24 lakh (and rest of playing XI, including the Impact Player, fined lower between Rs 6 lakh and 25% of match fees)
- Match 14: DC vs GT — Shubman Gill — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 12 lakh
- Match 16: RR vs RCB — Romi Bhinder — Article 7.42(a) of IPL’s PMOA Protocol — Fined Rs 1 lakh
- Match 18: CSK vs DC — Ruturaj Gaikwad — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 12 lakh
- Match 18: CSK vs DC — Nitish Rana — Article 2.3 of Code of Conduct — Fined 25% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 20: MI vs RCB — Hardik Pandya — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 12 lakh
- Match 20: MI vs RCB — Tim David — Article 2.4 of Code of Conduct — Fined 25% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 22: CSK vs KKR — Ajinkya Rahane — Slow over rate — Fined Rs 12 lakh
- Match 32: LSG vs RR — Nandre Burger — Article 2.5 of Code of Conduct — Fined 10% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 38: LSG vs KKR — Angkrish Raghuvanshi — Article 2.2 of Code of Conduct — Fined 20% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 40: PBKS vs RR — Riyan Parag — Article 2.1 of Code of Conduct — Fined 25% of match fee and one demerit point
- Match 43: RR vs DC — Kyle Jamieson — Article 2.5 of Code of Conduct — One demerit point and a warning
