Tag INDinSL2012

India might have won the first ODI of their new season against hosts Sri Lanka, but their celebrations were cut short after the players were fined for a slow over-rate during the match.

India’s captain MS Dhoni was fined 20% of his match fee while the remaining players had to shell out 10% of their earnings in the One-Dayer at Hambantota. The decision was imposed by match referee Chris Broad, after the visitors were ruled to be an over short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

The International Cricket Council released an official statement regarding the matter, that said: “India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the India team have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 21-run victory against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international held in Hambantota on Saturday.

“The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the code which relates to minor over-rate offences. The finding and penalty were imposed following a full disciplinary hearing.”

India won the match by 21 runs in a pretty convincing victory to kick-off their style and would have wanted the beginner to go smoothly, but they’ll have to work on these few glitches and will definitely keep it in mind in the remaining matches of the 5-ODI series. The second match is on Tuesday, the 24th of this month.

It must be noted that Indians have been bowling their quota of overs slowly for a long time now, and handled by match referees pretty sevearly. Indian captain MS Dhoni has been banned from tests and ODIs several times in last couple of years yet officials don't take notice and improve on it.