The Indian team faced punishment from the ICC and had been fined ten percent of the match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the second ODI in Raipur.
The decision came to the surface after ICC elite panel match referee Richie Richardson imposed a sanction on Team India, led by KL Rahul, for failing to complete the required overs within the allotted time. They fell two overs short of the time limit, which led to further consideration of the decision, and KL Rahul pleaded guilty in this case.
As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time if sanctioned. KL Rahul, the captain of the Indian team for the match, accepted his mistake, which does not take the case to a further hearing.
KL Rahul and his love story with Slow over rates
This is not the first instance where KL Rahul pleaded guilty for maintaining slow over rates; he had to pay from his pocket multiple times. He had to go under scrutiny when he captained the Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in IPL. In a game against CSK in 2024, Rahul, who was leading LSG back then, had to pay a fine of 12 lakhs.
In the Raipur match, KL Rahul played brilliantly to finish the innings. India set a target of 358 runs on board with the help of Virat Kohli (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s (105) exceptional efforts. But South Africa had other plans; they dismantled the Indian bowling, and Aiden Markram scored a cracking century of 110 off 98 balls. Bravis, Bavuma, and Breetze played brilliantly, and Corbin Bosch’s cameo brought the win to South Africa.
However, India clinched the series in the decider at Vizag.
