Rahul Dravid coached and Virat Kohli-led Team India kicked off the South Africa tour on an emphatic note, winning the first Test at Centurion by 113 runs. However, there is one area that the team management unit needs to look at is their over-rate.
Following the conclusion of the 1st Test, India was docked one point from their World Test Championship (WTC) points after they failed to meet the required over-rate. The team was found to be 1 over short and as per standard ICC rules, a team loses a point each for every over they are short. In addition, the players were also docked 20 percent of their match fee.
Rahul Dravid Reckons India Needs To Get Better In Over Rates As It’s Disappointing To Lose Points In WTC Table
Addressing the same, India coach Rahul Dravid said that it is difficult to assess where the team is consuming more time, citing injuries and wicket change as possible reasons for the delay. However, he mentioned that the team needs to work on it, adding problems like slow over-rate can occur while playing overseas Test, adding the bowling attack primarily revolves around the seamers as compared to spinners at home.
“ICC is trying various things. They’ve tried fines, which doesn’t seem to work. They’re trying hard, too. Difficult to predict sometimes where we lose time, like injuries, wicket change, etc. We need to get better at managing time,” said Rahul Dravid.
“Rules are the same for everyone. It’s hard, we’re playing four-seamers. It’s an area we need to get better at. Disappointing to lose points. Would be disappointing to miss out because of that. Not a problem in India need to look at it overseas,” the coach Rahul Dravid added.
This is not the first time India lost WTC points due to a slow over-rate. India has been docked two points in August last year for the same in the Nottingham Test in England. The points lost can eventually prove to be crucial in the run to the WTC final, which will be played next year.
While Rahul Dravid could see the need for measures to speed up play, he suggested circumstances in Centurion – Jasprit Bumrah went off the field during South Africa’s first innings with a twisted ankle, and there was some confusion around which new ball India had chosen before they began bowling in the second innings – made it trickier for the team to stay within their time limit.
Andrew Pycroft, Match Referee Imposed The Sanction
Andrew Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after the visitors fell an over short of the target with allowances 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 offenses, 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.
In addition, as per Article 16.11 of the ICC Men’s World Test Championship Playing Conditions, a side is penalized one point for each over short. Captain Virat Kohli pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction. Umpires Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock, Allahudien Paleker, and Bongani Jele levelled the charge.
Having sealed a 1-0 lead, Virat Kohli’s men will take on South Africa in the 2nd Test with an opportunity to become the first-ever Indian team to win a Test series in South Africa. History favors India in Johannesburg as the visitors have never lost at the Wanderers, winning 2 and drawing 3 Tests so far.