Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel has been handed a ₹12 lakh fine by the IPL for maintaining a slow over rate, even as his side pulled off a nerve-wracking three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Match 55 of IPL 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Monday.

The fine was levied under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, and marks Delhi Capitals’ first such breach of the season. The IPL confirmed the penalty in an official statement.

The match itself was a high-octane contest. Punjab Kings, after being put in to bat, got off to a flying start with Priyansh Arya blazing his way to 56 off 33 balls. Shreyas Iyer then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59, helping Punjab post a challenging 210/8 in 20 overs.

Delhi’s chase, however, began in disastrous fashion. The Capitals lost their first three wickets for just 33 runs inside five overs, putting the match in serious doubt.

Following the win, Delhi Capitals sit seventh in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have now suffered four consecutive defeats, though they remain fourth on the table with 13 points from 11 games.

For Delhi, the win keeps their playoff hopes faintly alive, but the road ahead remains steep.