ICC Fines India 10% Match Fee for Slow Overrate in Second ODI

India's cricket team has been fined 10 percent of its match fee by the International Cricket Council for a slow overrate during the second one-day international against South Africa in Raipur. The penalty, imposed after the Indian side fell two overs short of the required rate, came in a match that South Africa won by four wickets to level the three-match series.

The sanction was announced on Monday following the game on December 3, where stand-in captain KL Rahul's team posted a formidable 358 for five in its 50 overs. Rahul pleaded guilty to the breach of Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses minimum overrate offenses, and accepted the punishment without the need for a formal hearing. Match referee Richie Richardson from the ICC's Elite Panel enforced the fine, with each player in the playing XI penalized five percent of their match fee per over short, totaling 10 percent for the team.

On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Rohan Pandit, along with third umpire Sam Nogajski and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal, laid the charge after accounting for time allowances. Officials noted that dewy conditions in Raipur likely contributed to the delay, as bowlers...