Edited by Deepali Verma
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on December 29 made an announcement that Rohit Sharma-led Team India has been docked of two crucial ICC World Test Championship points for averaging on a slow over-rate in the initial Test against South Africa in Centurion, as per the ICC official statement.
India additionally has received 10 per cent of their match fee for bowling two overs short of the target. Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees put up the sanction once India was ruled to be two overs short of the target after the time allowances were taken into consideration.
“As per the Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which deals with minimum over-rate offences, the players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over if their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the ICC statement further read.
The Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions further adds that a side has to face the penalty of one point for every over short. Hence, as a result, two World Test Championship points have been deducted from India’s points total.
“Rohit Sharma who is the Indian captain has pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. Hence, there is no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Langton Rusere, third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Stephen Harris levelled the charge as well,” it further read.
India, after the test defeat, dropped to fifth place with 16 points from three Tests and a points percentage of 44.44. The reduction of points for the slow-over rate severely affects India’s position in the standings, dropping them behind Australia to No.6, with 14 points and a points percentage of 38.89.
India had to face defeat by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test of the two-match series. The visitors managed to score 245 in their first innings, thanks to KL Rahul’s century. South Africa, on the other hand, replied forcefully with Dean Elgar scoring a superb 185, who is set to retire after this series.
The hosts posted a respectable first-innings total of 408, David Bedingham (56) and Marco Jansen (84) each contributed with significant fifties. India struggled in their second innings, being bowled out for 131.
