India docked one Test Championship point for maintaining slow over-rate in Centurion Test

Carrying on their rampant run in international cricket, India defeated South Africa in the first Test in Centurion to go 1-0 up in the series. However, there is some bad news coming their way as they have been docked one Test Championship point for maintaining a slow over-rate. The Virat Kohli-led side was one over short of the target, even after considering all unavoidable delays. As per the rule, the team is docked one point for every short over.

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Earlier, India had lost two Test Championship points during the Nottingham Test at well. India now sits sixth, behind Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with 53 points and a win percentage of 63.09. Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock, Allahudien Paleker levelled the charges and Match Referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanctions, which were accepted by Virat Kohli.

"In accordance with 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 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," the ICC said in a release.

"In addition, as per Article 16.11 of the ICC Men's World Test Championship Playing Conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, India will lose one point from their points tally for this offence. Umpires Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock, Allahudien Paleker and Bongani Jele levelled the charge.

Barring India, England are the other team to lose points due to the slow over-rate in the ongoing Test Championship cycle. The Three Lions have lost 10 points and are placed right beneath India with six points.

As we saw in the previous cycle that even a single point can make a huge difference , both India and England will not be happy with losing hard-earned points. In the last edition, Australia missed out on a place in the final after losing four points against India in Melbourne.