ICC slaps Australia with hefty fine for this violation ahead of series-decider 3rd ODI against India

Australia women's cricket team faced a penalty for a slow over-rate during the second ODI against India in Mullanpur on Tuesday, September 16. The team was fined 10 per cent of their match fee after they were found to be two overs short of their target, even after all allowances were taken into account.

Australia penalised with 10 per cent match fee for slow over rate during 2nd ODI vs India

The penalty was imposed by match referee G.S. Lakshmi, in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Janani Narayanan, along with third umpire Lauren Agenbag and fourth umpire Gayathri Venugopalan. Under the ICC's rules for minimum over-rate offences, a team is fined 5% of their match fee for each over they are behind. The Australian captain, Alyssa Healy, admitted to the offence, and because she accepted the sanction, no formal hearing was needed.

ALSO READ: 'I felt that I could play, but...': Kuldeep Yadav breaks silence on being benched for entire England tour

The slow over-rate fine was just one more issue for the Australia Women's team during a historic defeat. They were soundly beaten by India Women, losing by 102 runs. This marked Australia's largest defeat by runs in the history of Women's ODIs, surpassing their previous record of a 92-run loss to England in the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup. India's victory was fueled by the exceptional performance of star batter Smriti Mandhana. She delivered a breathtaking innings, scoring 117 runs off just 91 balls. Her aggressive knock, which included 14 boundaries and four sixes, put Australia on the defensive from the start and set the stage for India's massive total. Mandhana's outstanding contribution earned her the Player of the Match award.

Smriti Mandhana's incredible batting performance was complemented by the disciplined bowling of Kranti Gaud. The emerging bowler, who made her ODI debut earlier this year, continued to impress by taking three key wickets for just 28 runs. Her spell was crucial in dismantling Australia's middle order and maintaining India's control over the match. While India celebrated one of their most significant ODI wins, Australia now has to regroup. After winning the first match of the three-game series by eight wickets, the loss in the second game means the series is now tied at 1-1. Both teams will now face off in a thrilling decider in Delhi on September 20 to determine the winner of the series.