SA vs IND: India docked WTC points for over-rate offence, slip to sixth behind Pakistan

India have been penalised for maintaining a slow over rate in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. The Rohit Sharma-led side lost the match by an innings and 32 runs following which, they slipped to number six on the World Test Championship ranking. Meanwhile, after the match, Match Referee Chris Broad imposed the sanction, in which India were penalised for bowling two overs short. The team lost two more WTC points and were also fined 10% of their match fees.

Currently, India have 14 points to their name, with a percentile of 38.89. It might complicate their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship finale for the record third time and thus, the second Test against South Africa and the upcoming five-match series against England hold a lot of importance.

Meanwhile, both batting and bowling units must improve ahead of the second Test against South Africa. With the bat, the visiting team were bundled twice within 101.5 overs, while Rohit expressed his displeasure with the pace unit. He mentioned that Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur didn’t support Jasprit Bumrah and added that the team shouldn’t have leaked over 400 runs in Centurion.

On the other hand, Dean Elgar was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant century. He hit 185 runs, which pushed India out of the contest and helped the Proteas secure a huge win. He has also been named as the captain of the side after Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring strain, which he suffered on Day 1 of the opening Test.

South Africa are on top of the WTC table at the moment. They played their first Test of the cycle against India and courtesy of the win, they have a 100% record. New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh and Pakistan are second, third, fourth and fifth respectively on the points table.