Kings XI Punjab skipper R Ashwin has been lashed out a fine of Rs 12 Lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during his team's away encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium versus Delhi Capitals on Saturday (April 20). 

Ashwin has now joined the list that includes three other leaders - Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli and Rajasthan Royals' just-sacked Ajinkya Rahane, who have all received fines for their offence in this matter at various stages of the tournament thus far. 

Earlier, the match resulted in Punjab's disappointing five-wicket loss - its third defeat in the last four encounters. Batting first, on a turning pitch at the Kotla, the visitors posted a very good fine innings total of 163/7 in its alloted 20 overs, with Chris Gayle smashing away a 37-ball 69. 

But the target of 164 runs was chased down comfortably by Delhi on the back of solid half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan (56) and Shreyas Iyer (58*). Dew played a major part in this game, as it firstly forced Punjab to aim for a higher score than it normally would've played for and then evened out the rough patches of a sluggish pitch, making it further easy for batsmen to hit through the line under-lights. 

"I thought it was just below par because of the dew," said Ashwin at the post-match presentation ceremony. "It was quite hard to grip the ball for the spinners. We lost too many wickets in the middle despite Gayle playing a brilliant knock. Credit to Shreyas. He held his nerve and batted through."

Punjab succumbed to its fifth defeat of the season, but still remains fourth in the eight-team IPL 2019 points table with 10 points from as many games after five victories. The team needs to win at least three of its remaining four matches to have a chance of reaching the playoffs. 

"We have played quite well in the 10 games, won a few and lost a few close games. This tournament is all about stringing wins together and we need to catch the momentum now," Ashwin added. 

(Inputs from India Today)