MS Dhoni Fined For Poor Over-Rate, Will Be Banned On Repeating Offence

Amidst MS Dhoni’s effort to win the second Test match against West Indies, and hence the series, by declaring early enough to allow his bowlers a reasonable chance to bowl West Indies out, and the associated shenanigans associated with the boldness of the move, the slapping of the fine of 60% of the match fee on the captain, couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Not because the fine will leave a gaping hole in the pockets of the multi-million per annum earning skipper, but because this is his second transgression in the same year. Essentially, this translates into the fact that if he repeats this mistake again this year, he will be missing out on a Test match.

This also means that Dhoni cannot afford to be tardy on his over-rate in the next four Test matches, if he does not want to miss any of the Tests in the all-important series against England.

It is ironic that this blemish comes in only days after the ICC announced a rule-change which will make it even more difficult for offending captains like Dhoni. Earlier, the captains were allowed two instances of slow over-rates before they were given the marching orders on the third one in the year. A few days back, the ICC has changed this to a maximum of one allowed transgression before the rule-book is thrown on his face (with the rule to come into being from October 1).

Another such problem with the over-rate in any of the ensuing Tests and the Indian team could be left without a captain for at least one of the Tests against England. And given how vital that series in England is, to India’s defence of their number one ranking, it is only natural to expect that Dhoni will be privately worried.

Already Dhoni has been at the wrong end of the barrel, having been banned for two ODIs in 2009 for falling short of the over-rate by three overs. On that occasion, Dhoni had not transgressed earlier, but the rules say that if the captain falls short of bowling the overs on time by three overs or more in an ODI or five overs or more on a Test day, he can be banned immediately.

India play West Indies in the third Test match at Dominica from July 6.