xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: Rubbing salt to the wound, the Indian cricket team led by Rohit Sharma have been penalised for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. The visitors have been docked two crucial ICC World Test Championship points in the Boxing Day Test for bowling two overs short and has also been fined 10% of their match fee. Rohit and his boys suffered an embarrassing loss by an innings and 23 run in the opening test of the two match series.

Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target. Following Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Also Read: Avesh Khan named as a replacement for Md. Shami for 2nd test against Proteas in CapeTown | SAvsIND

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points have been deducted from India’s points total.

India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was 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.