Team India suffers a huge WTC standings blow

India suffered a defeat to South Africa by an inning and 32 runs in the 1st test match which was not enough as they have been handed a penalty of 2 points by the International Cricket Council (ICC). India failed to maintain the required over-rate during the Centurion Test, prompting the ICC to deduct 2 crucial points and the team has also been fined 10% of their match fee. India has now dropped to 6th spot in the WTC standings.

Also Read: South Africa vs India: The Proteas beat India by an inning and 32 runs in the 1st Test at Centurion

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, the players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

After the Test loss, India found themselves at No.5 with 16 points from three Tests and a points percentage of 44.44. However, the deduction of points for the slow-over rate further weakens India's position in the standings, causing them to slip below Australia to No.6, with 14 points and a points percentage of 38.89.

The Proteas' bowling attack dismissed India for 131 in their second innings after South Africa had earlier scored 408 for and taken a 163-run first-innings lead. Virat Kohli fought alone in the second inning and scored 76 but it wasn't enough. Debutant Nandre Burger took four wickets, Marco Jansen three, and Kagiso Rabada two in the second innings. South Africa cannot lose the series now and remain the only country where India have yet to win an away series.

After the game, Rohit gave his take on the game and said, "We were not good enough to win. Having put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn't exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn't show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn't do that. Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn't adapt well. This is a boundary-scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well. We didn't bat well in both innings, that's why we stand here. There were not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch. Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven't been here before so I don't want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now."