The International Cricket Council has docked India national cricket team two points from their ICC World Test Championship tally for failing to maintain the required over rate in the first of two Test matches against South Africa national cricket team in South Africa. ICC has also levied a ten per cent fine on the Indian team's match fee, rubbing salt into the wounds a day after the Men in Blue suffered a humiliating defeat against the Proteas in the first IND vs RSA Test at Centurion. (Scorecard | As It Happened)
Rohit Sharma's side suffered an embarrassing defeat at Centurion to kick off their two-game Test series against South Africa. Led by a century from veteran Dean Elgar, playing in the penultimate international match of his career, the Proteas built a target beyond the reach of the visitors, winning the match with an innings to spare.
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A statement released by ICC confirmed India's points penalty and subsequent fine:
Rohit Sharma's side has been docked two crucial ICC World Test Championship points in the opening Test against South Africa for bowling two overs short and has also been fined 10% of their match fee.
Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the 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% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
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The points penalty means India slip to sixth in the standings, one spot below Australia, with 14 points and a 38.89 points percentage. The bygone ICC World Test Championship runners-up were fifth previously with 16 points and a points percentage of 44.44. South Africa currently lead the table with a hundred per cent points percentage, followed by Pakistan on 61.11. New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Australia round off the top five.
