By Rohit - May 28, 2025 01:18 PM
The 2025 IPL season delivered its fair share of fireworks, and not just from the bat. One of the most talked-about moments came during the high-octane clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). On paper, it was an absolute thriller. Rishabh Pant’s explosive century, RCB’s historic run chase, this game had it all.
But off the field? Drama of a different kind unfolded. Every single LSG player was slapped with a fine, and their captain, Rishabh Pant, faced an especially hefty penalty. So, what really went down? Why were all LSG players fined in the RCB vs LSG match of IPL 2025? Let’s unpack the chaos, controversy, and consequences.
Let’s start with the core issue: slow over-rate. In simple terms, this means a team took longer than the allowed time to bowl their 20 overs. The IPL has been strict on this, especially in recent seasons, to keep matches crisp and within broadcast windows.
In the case of LSG, this wasn’t their first slip-up. It wasn’t even their second. This match marked their third over-rate violation of the season. And in IPL rulebook terms, third time isn’t the charm, it’s the hammer.
| Offence Count | Penalty for Captain | Penalty for Other Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Offence | INR 12 Lakh | No penalty |
| 2nd Offence | INR 24 Lakh | 50% match fee or INR 6 Lakh |
| 3rd Offence | INR 30 Lakh | 50% match fee or INR 12 Lakh |
That’s why the BCCI dropped the hammer on Rishabh Pant, fining him INR 30 lakh. That’s more than double the usual INR 12 lakh penalty for first-time offenders.
The rest of the team? They weren’t off the hook either. Each member of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, was fined either INR 12 lakh or 50% of their match fee, whichever was lower.
What makes this incident sting even more for LSG fans is the performance Rishabh Pant delivered on the day. It was a captain’s knock for the ages, a breathtaking 118 not out off 61 balls, peppered with 11 fours and 8 sixes.
Pant came in early after the dismissal of Matthew Breetzke and immediately took control. Partnering with Mitchell Marsh, Pant powered the team to a massive 227/3. His 152-run stand with Marsh looked like it had put LSG in a winning position.
But cricket can be cruel. Despite Pant’s fireworks, RCB chased the target down with six wickets to spare, thanks to a brutal display by Jitesh Sharma (85* off 33) and a solid contribution from Virat Kohli (54).
In many ways, this match was a microcosm of LSG’s season:
So why is the IPL suddenly so strict about over-rates? Simple: viewer experience and scheduling.
Modern cricket is as much about timing as it is about technique. TV broadcasters, sponsors, and fans expect matches to run on schedule. When teams take too long between overs, it disrupts that rhythm.
The BCCI and IPL authorities have been tightening the screws. Repeat violations now attract steeper fines and even match bans.
By fining all LSG players, the BCCI sent a clear message: over-rate violations are a team responsibility, not just the captain’s problem.
The timing of these fines couldn’t have been worse for LSG. Heading into a crucial phase of the tournament, morale and momentum are everything.
While fines don’t directly affect points or standings, they can definitely mess with team chemistry and focus.
Financial Impact:
Moving forward, expect LSG to be a lot more cautious. Whether it’s rotating bowlers faster or skipping mid-over huddles, the team can’t afford another costly mistake.
So, why were all LSG players fined in the RCB vs LSG match of IPL 2025? Because the team, led by Rishabh Pant, failed to maintain the minimum over-rate for the third time this season.
While the game itself will be remembered for Pant’s magnificent century and RCB’s incredible chase, the post-match headlines were all about fines, rule breaches, and the consequences of not respecting the clock.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for LSG and their fans, but maybe also the wake-up call they needed in a league where every second counts, literally, time, it seems, really is money. And in this case, a lot of it was lost.
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