India lose skipper before crunch tie

Though Rayudu was clearly in the wrong, the decision does appear to be harsh. Especially when the Indian over-rate has been good throughout the tournament. Against the West Indies, the Indians completed their 50 overs well before the lunch break — lunch was taken after the Indian batting had started.

‘‘The umpires — Brian Jerling and Billy Doctrove — reported the player after he failed to respond to a number of warnings relating to time wasting’’, match referee John Morrison said in a statement here. ‘‘“In this instance, I endorsed the view that his conduct brought the game into disrepute and the appropriate penalty is a one-match suspension.’’

According to ICC laws, Under-19 players can’t be fined, the alternative punishment in such cases.

It is a Level 2 offence (bringing the game into disrepute), which means that the team mangement can’t appeal against the decision. However, manager Ram Babu Gupta did express his disappointment with the verdict, taken at a meeting yesterday evening — and a whole day after the match.

Also disappointed was Rayudu, though he refused to comment. When this reporter met Rayudu yesterday evening, the India captain, apparently unaware of what was to happen, said he was looking forward to Sunday’s match. ‘‘A match against Pakistan is always something to look forward to’’, he said as he headed for the hotel cyber-cafe.