What is the stop-clock rule under which USA were penalized 5 runs in their 2024 T20 World Cup match against India?
There was an interesting incident in the USA vs India 2024 T20 World Cup match on Wednesday, June 12, as the former were penalized five runs under the new stop-clock rule. The penalty was handed to the United States before the start of the 16th over in India's chase of 111.
India beat the United States by seven wickets in match number 25 of the ICC Men's 2024 T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Bowling first after winning the toss, the Men in Blue restricted the US to 110-8. In reply, India got over the line in 18.2 overs.
After 15 overs in the chase, India were 76-3. They needed 35 off 30 balls, but the equation changed to 30 off 30 after the umpires imposed a five-run penalty on the fielding side. The same was done as per the new stop-clock rule, which came into effect on June 1, 2024.
As per the regulation put in place to speed up the pace of play in T20Is, the fielding side must start an over within 60 seconds of the completion of the previous over. Warnings will be issued the first two times the fielding side misses the 60-second deadline. If the violation is repeated the third time, a five-run penalty will be imposed on the fielding team.
United States became the first team to be docked five runs under the stop-clock penalty rule, which was introduced in December 2023 on an experimental basis.
USA coach Stuart Law reacts to stop-clock penalty
Speaking at a press conference following their seven-wicket loss to India, USA coach Stuart Law admitted that the players had been warned about being slow between overs in earlier games too. He conceded that the team will need to address the issue.
"Yeah, we talk about this. We had a few warnings in earlier games, and it's something we do talk about to get through faster between the overs. It's just one thing that we can improve on. I think that we're only a fledgling team. There's plenty to learn," Law commented.
The loss to India on Wednesday was the US' first defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The co-hosts had earlier defeated Canada by seven wickets and Pakistan in the Super Over. They will face Ireland in their last Group A match in Florida on Friday, June 14.