India and West Indies were both fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first T20I of their three-match series. India was fined 5% of their match fee for falling one over short of the target, while West Indies were fined 10% of their match fee for falling two overs short.
The fines were imposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Hardik Pandya and Rovman Powell, the captains of India and West Indies respectively, pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions.
This is not the first time that India has been fined for slow over-rate. In fact, India has been fined for slow over-rate on several occasions in recent years. In 2022, India was fined 40% of their match fee for being two overs short in the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
Slow over-rate is a serious issue in cricket. It can disrupt the flow of the game and give the fielding team an unfair advantage. The ICC has taken steps to crack down on slow over-rate, and teams that are found to be consistently over the limit can be penalized more heavily.
The fines for slow over-rate are not just a financial penalty. They can also have a negative impact on a team’s reputation. Teams that are fined for slow over-rate can be seen as unprofessional and disrespectful to the game.
It is important for teams to take the issue of slow over-rate seriously. By bowling their overs on time, teams can help to ensure that the game is played in a fair and timely manner.
