ICC slaps fine on India and West Indies, Rovman Powell and Hardik Pandya admit to offence

India and West Indies have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first IND vs WI T20I at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Tarouba. ICC announced that both India and West Indies were short of the minimum over-rate during their innings and hence were reprimanded for their misdemenour. Both nations have accepted the fines. 

India vs West Indies: ICC reprimands for maintaining slow over-rate

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"India fell an over short during their bowling innings, leading to five per cent of their match fees being reduced. West Indies on the other hand fell two overs short, leading to a ten per cent match deduction in fees for their players. The fines were in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences. According to the law, players are fined five percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, subject to a cap of 50 percent of the match fee, " ICC said in a statement. 

"West Indies captain Rovman Powell and India captain Hardik Pandya both admitted to the offence, meaning an additional hearing wasn't required. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Gregory Brathwaite and Patrick Gustard, along with third umpire Nigel Duguid and fourth umpire Leslie Reifer."

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IND vs WI: Team India loses 1st T20I

India made a mess of a modest run-chase to lose the opening T20 International against the West Indies by four runs here on Thursday. Rovman Powell (48 off 32) played a captain's knock to take West Indies to 149 for six after the hosts opted to bat at the Brian Lara Stadium. With 37 needed off the last 30 balls and six wickets in hand, India self-destructed to end at 145 for nine in 20 overs. 

Jason Holder brought the West Indies back into the game by producing a maiden in the 16th over, when he found the stumps of India skipper Hardik Pandya (19) before Sanju Samson (12) got run out. Tail-ender Arshdeep Singh (12) made the game more interesting with a couple of fours in the penultimate over, making use of an extra fielder in the circle due to the home team's slow over rate. Eventually, Romario Shepherd was able to defend 10 runs off the final over.

(with PTI inputs)