In a dramatic turn of events during the Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) match on March 30, 2025, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Rajasthan Royals’ captain Riyan Parag has been penalized for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Parag, who was captaining RR for the first time in the ongoing IPL season, has been fined INR 12 lakh for his team’s slow over-rate during their match against CSK.
Despite this setback, Rajasthan Royals managed to register a thrilling 6-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in their third match of the season, marking their first win in IPL 2025. However, the joy of securing their first victory was overshadowed by the fine imposed on Parag, who had taken over the captaincy temporarily for the first three matches, stepping in for regular captain Sanju Samson, who is recovering from a finger injury.
The violation occurred during RR’s defense of their total of 182/9 in their 20 overs. The Royals were unable to complete their overs within the stipulated time frame, leading to Parag being charged with maintaining a slow over-rate, a violation that falls under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences. According to the official IPL release, as this was the first such offence of the season for Rajasthan Royals, Parag was fined INR 12 lakh.
This penalty comes in the wake of a newly implemented rule by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding slow over-rate violations in the IPL. Prior to the start of the 2025 season, a decision was made at a captains’ meeting held on March 21 in Mumbai, where all team captains agreed to a new structure. Under this new rule, captains are no longer subject to bans for repeated slow over-rate violations, though fines are still imposed.
This was Riyan Parag’s first stint as captain in the IPL, and while he was tasked with leading the team in the absence of Samson, his leadership faced mixed results. In his first two games as captain, Rajasthan Royals suffered losses against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Parag and his team showed resilience in their third match, posting a competitive total of 182/9 after being asked to bat first. Nitish Rana played a spectacular knock, top-scoring with 81 runs from just 36 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes.
In response, Chennai Super Kings fought hard but ultimately fell short, finishing their innings at 176/6 in 20 overs. RR’s Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout performer with the ball, delivering a remarkable spell to take 4 wickets for just 35 runs in his 4 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the lone warrior for CSK, contributing 63 runs off 44 balls in their chase.
While Rajasthan Royals celebrated their victory, the penalty on Parag highlights the ongoing emphasis on maintaining the pace of the game, an issue that the IPL has been addressing in recent seasons. RR, who had started their IPL 2025 campaign with a loss, will now look forward to their next challenge as they prepare to face Punjab Kings on April 5, 2025, at Mullanpur, hoping to build momentum following their hard-fought victory against CSK.
The IPL 2025 season continues to showcase intense competition, and the focus on maintaining quick over-rates ensures that the matches remain fast-paced and engaging for fans. Parag and Rajasthan Royals will hope that they can address the slow over-rate issue moving forward, and with their first win under their belt, the team will aim for a strong showing in the upcoming fixtures.
