Mahendra Singh Dhoni Faces One Match Ban Possibility for Slow Over Rate

When India were penalized for slow overrate in the Barbados Test, the danger that the Indian captain could miss a Test as a result of a third repeat offence was not lost. And now that situation is looming once more as India have been behind in the first innings, causing yet another concern for the beleaguered Indian cricket team, plagued by a spate of injuries already in the India England series.

Billy Bowden, Mahendra Singh Dhoni

The fourth day of the first Test of the India England series have already seen the absence of Zaheer Khan being told in the bowling department and Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar doubtful with their respective injury and fever. Now already with their hands full and desperate to bat out the fifth day to survive the grim first Test at Lord’s, there are more problems awaiting the Indian cricket team.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni could face a one Test ban if the ICC match referee deems this third offence of the Indian cricket team to be averaging only thirteen overs an hour instead of the mandatory fifteen overs per hour in the first innings. That leaves India with quite a few problems with the second Test at Trent Bridge beginning on Friday, the 29th July. That is because the ICC’s rules regarding slow over rates in Test cricket clearly state that a third transgression by a team within a twelve month period would result in the captain taking the fall.

India were previously found guilty of slow over rate in the last Test of India’s tour of South Africa and the latest being on India’s tour of the West Indies, where the red flag was already raised that India would have to be on their toes and very careful if Dhoni were to play all four Tests without the Indian captain getting into trouble and missing a Test as a result of it.

That would be a huge blow, akin to adding insult to injury because the Indian cricket team is going through an ordeal in the first Test at Lord’s and not just from the England cricket team. With Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir on the concerned injured list and Sachin Tendulkar battling fever, it seems India have plenty of problems without the bomb being dropped on them with captain cool banished for the next important Test on India’s itinerary in England. If Mahendra Singh Dhoni gets served a one Test ban, it would be even harder on top of finding another bowler, maybe another opening batsman even to find an interim captain. That is not because talent is in short supply but rather because a pattern has been set and it would hard to keep the plans in motion if the shake ups have to come from the top of the order.

It is yet unclear which the ICC match referee will act. But what is clear is that India cannot afford to have a man down, particularly one who holds the reins. England though would not mind, as they attempt to win the series by a 2-0 margin in a bid to steal the no.1 Test team tag from India.