India fined for slow over-rate in final T20I against New Zealand

In a second successive game, the Men In Blue have been fined by the ICC for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the fifth and final Twenty20 International in Mount Maunganui.

The Indian squad was fined 20 percent of its match fee after Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction.

According to a statement issued by the world cricket board, the tourists were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

Also read: India notch up rare 5-0 T20I series whitewash against New Zealand

“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 fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the ICC said in a statement.

India stand-in captain Rohit Sharma pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Also read: India fined for slow over-rate in fourth T20 against New Zealand

On-field umpires Chris Brown and Shaun Haig and third umpire Ashley Mehrotra levelled the charge.

India won the match by seven runs on Sunday (February 2) to complete a rare 5-0 series whitewash over New Zealand in the shortest format of the game.

Earlier, during the fourth T20I against the Black Caps, Virat Kohli’s men were docked 40 percent of its match fee after falling short of the target by two overs at the Westpack Stadium in Wellington on Saturday (January 31).

(With inputs from agencies)