India sealed the three-match ODI series against South Africa 2-1, but the win came with a minor off-field setback. The ICC fined the team for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
India lost that match by four wickets, allowing South Africa to draw level 1-1 before KL Rahul’s side bounced back with a dominant nine-wicket victory in Visakhapatnam to clinch the series.
ICC Code of Conduct violation
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are docked five per cent of their match fee per over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. India were found two overs short after allowances, resulting in a 10% fine.
On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Rohan Pandit, along with third umpire Sam Nogajski and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal, laid the charge. Match referee Richie Richardson imposed the sanction.
Rahul accepted the offence and the proposed penalty, removing the need for a formal hearing.
Kohli, Jaiswal shine with the bat
India’s batting unit delivered consistently through the series. Virat Kohli topped the charts with 302 runs, striking two centuries and a half-century, underlining a commanding return to form.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed attention with a superb unbeaten 116 in the decider, guiding India to the target with poise and maturity.
Bowling and fielding provide balance
India’s bowlers—spinners and pacers alike—maintained control across phases, taking wickets at key moments and restricting South Africa’s middle order. The fielding group also displayed discipline, which helped India recover after the setback in Raipur.
Next up: Five-match T20I series begins 9 December
India will now meet South Africa in a five-match T20I series starting Tuesday, 9 December, at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The subsequent matches will be played in Mullanpur (11 December), Dharamsala (14 December), Lucknow (17 December) and Ahmedabad (19 December).