The Indian team currently sits at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table and is the favorite to seal a place in next year’s final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.

However, things could change drastically if the Men in Blue face a speeding fine and have their points docked. Recently, New Zealand and England paid a three-point penalty each for slow rates after the completion of the first Test of the three-match series. After that, the Blackcaps fell to fifth place and now India may also suffer the same fate.

To make matters worse, during the first day of the second Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Adelaide, when Australia was batting, the match had to be paused twice after the floodlight failed.

India started bowling at 7:27 pm (Australian time) and finished the final at 10:05 pm This translates to a bowling rate of approximately 12 to 13 overs per hour, which is below the Mandatory rate of 14 overs per hour. If they cannot make up this shortfall, they may be subject to a fine.

Where will India stand in the WTC points table if fined for over-rate?

Australia, on the other hand, will not risk being fined despite being behind in the over rate as they managed to bowl out India in just 40 overs.

With Ashiwn as the only player in the visiting Indian side, it is automatically the pacers who take up the majority of the workload and bowl a share of the overs. However, pacers tend to bowl slower overs due to their longer runs, while spinners can complete their overs more quickly.

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According to the rules, for every short over bowled, the teams will be deducted one point each. Given the current scenario, while taking a penalty would not affect India’s position much if they win, Rohit Sharma and his men risk dropping to second place if they suffer a defeat and receive a points penalty.

Furthermore, if South Africa manages to cover for Sri Lanka, it would destroy the table even more.

Let’s take a look at India’s PCT on any of the likely outcomes.

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