In the first Test match against South Africa in Centurion, Rohit Sharma-led India has suffered a major blow as they have been penalised with two World Test Championship (WTC) points due to slow over rate during the opening Test. Additionally, the team has been fined 10 per cent of their match fee.
The penalty was enforced by Chris Broad from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, following India's shortfall of two overs from the set target.
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 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In the first Test of their two-match series in Centurion, the Indian team suffered a defeat by an innings and 32 runs. Indian batters had a tough time at the crease as they managed totals of 245 and 131 in their two innings. Meanwhile, the South African team compiled a substantial 408 runs in their single innings of the game.
Following their defeat in the Test, India's standing in the WTC 2023-2025 points table was initially at the fifth position, having accumulated 16 points from three Test matches and a points percentage of 44.44. Nevertheless, the subsequent reduction of points due to the slow over-rate has further diminished India's standing in the rankings. This demotion has led to India falling behind Australia, now positioned at sixth with 14 points and a points percentage of 38.89.
Rohit while rueing India's abysmal performance in the first Test said, "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."
"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 innings; that's why we stand here. Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch," Rohit added.
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