The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined India 20 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their first of three ODI matches against Australia on Friday, which they lost by 66 runs.
The sanction was levied by match referee David Boon after Virat Kohli's side was deemed an over short of the target after taking the specified time allowances into consideration. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Rod Tucker, TV umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Gerard Abood.
There was no subsequent hearing on the matter as Captain Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction.
As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, a fine amounting to 20 per cent of their match fee is imposed on the players for every over that their team fails to bowl within the allotted time.
There was no mention of a points deduction, however, which wouldn't affect India anyway as they have already qualified for the 2023 World Cup as hosts and won't be subject to the qualification pathway via the World Cup Super League, which these ODIs are part of.
Regardless, Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa was not happy about it. "I don't know what the ruling should be, or if there should be punishment, but something definitely has to be done about it. From a viewers' point of view it's probably not the best look for the game," Zampa said.
Australia stacked up a total of 374 thanks to centuries from Aaron Finch and Steve Smith, a total that India failed to chase down in their 50 overs, handling an early 0-1 lead to the hosts.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / David Gray
