India gets penalized for slow overrate in Centurion Test 2023

India has been fined for a slow overrate in the first Test against South Africa. In the Boxing Day Test match at Centurion, India suffered a huge loss by an innings and 32 runs. If that was not enough to hurt the fans, the visiting side has been fined a total of 10% of match fees for not being able to quickly complete the stipulated quota of overs with the ball.

By Article 2.22 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel of Apex Board, India was short by 2 overs to complete the required target of over rate in the first Test match. The statement of the Apex Board claimed that it was considered as a factor behind the fine on the Indian team that could not complete overs quickly.

“Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration,” wrote the statement of the Apex board in the release. As a result, India now finds themselves at a lower position in the WTC cycle 3 table due to the loss in the match.

India captain Rohit Sharma pleaded guilty to the offence – Apex Board

India have a total PCT of 38.39 after the penalty, which is a concern. Before the penalty, India was in the fifth position in the table with a PCT of 44.44. After the win of Australia against Pakistan, they climbed up a spot to clinch the fourth spot in the table. In its statement, the Apex board added that Rohit Sharma accepted the sanction due to the fault.

“India captain Rohit Sharma pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” added the statement of the Apex board. India has lost all its last 5 matches in SENA teams (SA, England, NZ, Australia) and would be looking to improve their record in the conditions. The best way to do it would be to win the Cape Town Test.