IND vs SA: Team India Fined For Maintaining Slow Overrate In 1st Test, Lose 2 Points In WTC Table

The Indian team has been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test against South Africa. India has been deducted two points from their World Test Championship (WTC) tally for bowling two overs short.

The Rohit Sharma-led team was fined a 10% fine on their match fee, with the sanction imposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The Men in Blue slipped to sixth place from their first place in the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle.

Team India Fined For Maintaining Slow Overrate

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, the players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. As per Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, a team will lose one point for each over short.

Following the loss, India occupied the fifth position in the standings, having secured 16 points from three Tests with a points percentage of 44.44. The recent deduction of points has further impacted India’s standing, pushing them below Australia to the sixth position. India holds 14 points and a points percentage of 38.89 in the WTC table.

The Indian team lost the opening Test of the two-match series by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion. The visiting team’s batters struggled, posting scores of 245 and 131 in their respective innings. The Proteas amassed 408 runs in their only innings in the match.

The touring side posted 245 runs in the first innings, with KL Rahul scoring 101 runs off 137 deliveries, including 14 boundaries and four sixes. However, none of the other batters reached the 50-run mark, and Virat Kohli (38) emerged as the second-highest scorer.

In response, Dean Elgar showcased his batting skills with an impressive 185 runs. David Bedingham (56) and Marco Jansen (84) made crucial contributions to the team. The hosts were bowled out for a formidable total of 408, securing a 163-run lead in the first innings.

India managed to register a total of 131 during their second innings on Day 3. Besides Virat Kohli’s resilient performance (76), all other batters surrendered without putting up a fight. With this outcome, the hosts secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

We Were Not Good Enough To Win – Rohit Sharma

Speaking after the match, Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the team was not effective enough to secure a win. He stated that they failed to capitalize on the conditions with the ball and encountered difficulties in their batting.

“We were not good enough to win. Having been put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn’t exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn’t show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn’t do that,” Rohit said.

“Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn’t adapt well. This is a boundary scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well. We didn’t bat well in both innnings, that’s why we stand here,” he added.

Also read: IND vs SA: “It’s Not That We Don’t Know How To Bat Outside India” – Rohit Sharma After 1st Test Loss