The Bowlers Will Bear The Brunt Instead Of The Captain - Virender Sehwag On New Rule For Slow Over-Rate

Former Indian player Virender Sehwag expressed his views on the new slow-over rate in T20Is after second match of Asia Cup 2022. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had earlier this year implemented a new rule to combat slow over-rates by teams in T20 Internationals.

What is ICC’s new rule of slow over rates?

According to the rule, if a team is unable to bowl the first ball of the final over by the scheduled time for the close of the innings, the team will have to field an extra player inside the circle for the rest of the innings.

The rule was officially implemented in a one-off T20I between West Indies and Ireland and the India-Pakistan clash on Sunday was the latest instance of its implementation.

Both India and Pakistan failed to complete the required overs within the stipulated time and faced the penalty of one fielder less outside the 30-yard circle. 

Much to the interest of fans, this rule turned to help India beat Pakistan in the 148-run chase as they scored 32 runs in the last three overs when Pakistan faced the punishment.

The bowlers will bear the brunt rather than the captain under this new rule: Virender Sehwag

Reflecting on how rule to control slow-over rate has evolved over the years, Sehwag, who captained Delhi Daredevils in the early years of the IPL, explained how captains used to be under pressure to bowl out the overs. 

“When I was captaining in the IPL, there was a 10 per cent or a 20 per cent deduction in match fees for slow over-rate. So, my priority as captain was not to restrict the batting side, but to always to finish the overs on time,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. 

“Otherwise, they would deduct 20 per cent of my match fees. I can score 20 extra runs, but I cannot claim the 20 per cent match fees back.”

“With this new rule, the captain will not bear the brunt, it will be the bowlers as they have to bowl with four men outside the ring,” he added.

India eventually defeated Pakistan by five wickets with two balls to spare in the game, thanks to important knocks from all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (35) and Hardik Pandya (33*).

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Nobody Saw Ravindra Jadeja Coming At Number 4: Robin Uthappa