India's tough start to Australia tour continues, fined for slow over rate

Team India players have been fined 20 per cent of their match fees after they maintained a slow over-rate in the first One-day international against Australia in Sydney on Friday.

As per the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s release, India were found to be one over short, considering the time allowances. According to the on-air commentators, India took 4 hours 6 minutes to complete their bowling innings.

"David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Virat Kohli’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration," said the release.

"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 fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time."

"Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Sam Nogajski, TV umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Gerard Abood leveled the charge," the release added.

India players have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in their 1st ICC Men's @cricketworldcup Super League ODI against Australia.

Details 

— ICC (@ICC) November 28, 2020

India lost the first game to Australia by 66 runs after the hosts amassed 374 runs in their 50 overs owing to centuries by skipper Aaron Finch and Steve Smith. India staged a fightback with a 128-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya but in the end the score proved to be too much for them.

The second game starts on Sunday at the same venue as India look to bounce back to stay in the series and level it.