India docked two WTC points for slow over rate in fifth Test

India have been docked two points and 40 percent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over rate in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in Birmingham. The hosts won the game by seven wickets to level the series 2-2. The series spilled over to this year due to Covid cases in the Indian camp last year.

India are now fourth in the WTC table behind Australia (84 points, 77.78 percentage points), South Africa (60 points, 71.43 percentage points) and Pakistan (44 points and 52.38 percentage points). The table is prepared on the basis of percentage points and hence despite being second in terms of actual points, India have now slipped to fourth place.

After being docked two points, India -- who have played 12 games with six wins, four losses and two draws -- have 75 points (docked five WTC points) but in terms of percentage points, they are a poor fourth with 52.08.

ICC match referee David Boon imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

"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 percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," the ICC said in a statement.

"In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two WTC points have been deducted from India's points total."

India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge.

(With inputs from PTI)