Rohit Sharma's brigade edged past New Zealand by 12 runs in the ODI opener against New Zealand in Hyderabad on Wednesday (January 18). But
despite the victory, Team India has been slapped with 60 per cent of its match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate in the high-scoring thriller against Black Caps. The match referee Javagal Srinath levied the sanction after India were found three overs short of the stipulated time under which they were ought to bowl the quota of 50 overs.
"In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," ICC said in a statement.
"On-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Nitin Menon, third umpire K N Ananthapadmanabhan and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal leveled the charge," the statement added.
India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
Riding on Shubman Gill's record double centurion knock, India imposed a colossal target of 350 for the Kiwis to chase. Gill, at the age of 23 years and 132 days old became the youngest to smash a double ton in the history of ODI cricket. He surpassed compatriot Ishan Kishan, who had recently smashed 210 against Bangladesh in December 2022. Gill smashed 208 off 149 balls which was decorate with 19 fours and six maximums.
In reply, New Zealand faltered initially but the star all-rounder Michael Bracewell took up the mantle to belt 78-ball 137 but to only see his side goind down to the Men in Blue. Bracewell smacked 12 fours and 10 sixes in his lightning knock. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 4/46.
India are 1-0 ahead in the series as they will next play New Zealand in the second ODI which will be held in Raipur on Saturday.
