The International Cricket Council has deducted two World Test Championship points from England and fined the team 10% of its match fees after match referee Richie Richardson ruled the side bowled two overs short during last week’s third Test against India at Lord’s. The sanction cuts England’s WTC tally to 22 points and lowers its percentage to 61.11%, pushing the team from second to third in the standings behind Sri Lanka; Australia remain top. England had won the Test by 22 runs to move 2–1 ahead in the five-match series, but the points loss reduces their early momentum in the 2025-27 championship cycle. Captain Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the over-rate offence and accepted the penalty, avoiding a formal hearing. England were also the most-penalised side for slow over rates in the previous WTC cycle, in which they forfeited 22 points.