India and the West Indies have both been fined for slow over rates during the third ODI in New Chandigarh, with India receiving the heavier penalty after falling further behind the required rate.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a fine of 20 per cent of match fees on India’s players, while the West Indies players were fined 10 per cent. India were four overs behind the required rate, compared with a two-over shortfall for the Caribbean side.
The slow-over-rate breaches were reported by on-field umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sam Nogajski, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Virendra Sharma. Match referee Prakash Bhatt subsequently confirmed the penalties.
Both captains, Shubman Gill and Shai Hope, accepted the charges on behalf of their respective teams. As the breaches were admitted, no formal hearing was required.
Over-rate rules form part of the regulations governing international cricket and are intended to ensure that matches progress within the allotted playing time. Teams are expected to maintain the required pace during an innings, with penalties applicable when they fall behind without sufficient justification. The extent of a fine can vary according to the seriousness of the breach.
The disciplinary action followed a dramatic finish to the ODI series. India batted first in the third match and posted an imposing target of 352 runs. The West Indies, however, produced a confident run chase and eventually secured a five-wicket victory.
Despite the defeat, India had already done enough to win the series. They had taken victory in the opening two matches, giving them an unassailable lead before the final ODI. The loss therefore did not change the overall series result, although it denied India a clean sweep.
For the West Indies, the final match provided a strong response after losing the first two games. Successfully chasing 352 runs against India gave the Caribbean side a positive ending to the series and demonstrated their ability to handle a substantial target under pressure.
The slow over-rate penalties, however, added an unwanted disciplinary footnote to the contest. India’s four-over shortfall resulted in a fine twice the size of the West Indies’ penalty, while both captains’ decision to accept the charges allowed the matter to be settled without a formal hearing.
The match thus ended with contrasting outcomes for the two teams: India retained the series despite losing the final ODI, while the West Indies finished with a memorable victory and both sides were subsequently sanctioned for failing to maintain the required over rate.
