India have been fined for a slow over-rate for the second time in as many matches.
The latest sanction has come after Sunday's fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The first happened after the fourth T20I at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Previously, they hadn't been fined for almost six years – a span of 264 international fixtures. India won the five-T20I series five-nil. Two of the results were decided by one-over eliminators. New Zealand and India will soon contest three ODIs and two Tests. Bet365 have India offered at 1.44 to win Wednesday's first ODI in Hamilton.
What the ICC said about slow over-rate from India
“As per 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 percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the stipulated time. India had been found two overs short in the fourth T20I, which is why they had been fined 40 percent. In the fifth match, they were found to be one over short after making time allowances,” read a statement from the International Cricket Council.
“On-field umpires Chris Brown and Shaun Haig, along with third umpire Ashley Mehrotra, reported the matter to match referee Chris Broad, who imposed the sanction. Rohit Sharma accepted the charge so there was no need of a formal hearing.”
Sharma captained the XI in the absence of the rested Virat Kohli. He, however, was not with the team during New Zealand's innings. He had sustained a calf injury during India's innings – and has since been ruled out of the rest of the tour. Stand-in skipper KL Rahul led the T20I XI in Sharma's absence.
“It was a special feeling, leading your country is always the second dream – the first one's of course to play for your country. It was unfortunate what happened to Rohit. Every day I wake up, everyday I'm thrown a new responsibility. I'm very grateful and I'm loving the challenges being thrown at me. It was great to see how we responded without our main leaders – Rohit and Virat,” said Rahul.
