IND vs SA: India have incurred a financial penalty from the ICC after being pulled up for a slow over-rate during the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 3. The International Cricket Council confirmed the ruling, stating that the Indian team finished two overs short of the required quota even after accounting for stoppages and allowances.
Match referee Richie Richardson from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel issued the sanction in line with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Support Staff, which defines punishments for over-rate breaches.
Under the rule, teams are fined five percent of match fees for each over not completed in time - resulting in a total 10 percent deduction for the Indian squad.
Stand-in skipper
KL Rahul accepted responsibility for the breach and agreed to the sanction on behalf of the team, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. The charge was formally issued by the match officials - on-field umpires Rod Tucker and Rohan Pandit, along with third umpire Sam Nogajski and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal.
Despite the setback off the field, India produced a commanding performance in the third and final ODI of the series in Visakhapatnam, securing a thumping nine-wicket victory to clinch the series 2-1. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stole the spotlight with his maiden ODI century, showcasing maturity and flair in India's chase. Virat Kohli added crucial support, notching his 76th ODI fifty, while skipper Rohit Sharma contributed a fluent 75 at the top.
Earlier in the match, India restricted South Africa to 270, thanks to a superb bowling effort. Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout performers with four wickets each. Prasidh, under scrutiny after an expensive start to the series, responded with a statement spell that rattled the Proteas' middle order. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock was the lone standout, scoring a polished 106 in what proved to be a losing effort.
India now move forward with momentum in the T20I series, starting from December 9 in Cuttack.
