The Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara was on verge of missing out 2 one-days against hosts India when he was charged with a slow over rate at the last Rwenty20 match at Mohali. The captain escaped with a minor fine of 40 percent of his match fee. The match referees found the Sri Lankan innings to be 2 overs slow at the last conflict of the series.
Sangakkara was very close to being ruled out of the first 2 matches had the Sri Lankan innings found to be 3 overs too slow. Jeff Crowe, the Match referee confirmed the news and added that under the new ICC Code, a further slow over rate could have had more serious affect. According to the amended ICC Code, the players are fined 10 percent of their match fee for every over that their team fails to deliver in the stipulated time. The captain of the fined side is charged with double the percentage.
Crowe further added, “Kumar was kept informed throughout the match by the on-field umpires of where his team was with its over-rate.” Sangakkara accepted the penalty without questioning the decision and no further hearing was scheduled. The man is still not out of deep waters though. For further 12 months, if Sangakkara is charged with further 2 similar charges of delivering a slow over rate then he stands a chance to be ruled out of playing an international match.