The India team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third Test against Australia in Perth, Western Australia.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been suspended for the next Test match in line with the ICC Code of Conduct.

India bowled 76 overs in 362 minutes in the only innings they bowled in at the WACA ground.

Even after considering the allowances for taking all the the 10 wickets, interruptions like sight screen adjustments and injury timeouts, India were still short of the target by 2 overs.

In accordance with ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

According to ICC Code of Conduct regulations, Dhoni was fined 40 percent of his match fees and his teammates were fined 20 percent each. This was India's second over-rate offence in the last 12 months.

As per the ICC Code of Conduct regulations, The captains of Teams would be suspended for one match when found guilty of two over-rate offences within 12 months.

Dhoni pleaded guilty to the charge and the subsequent penalties were accepted both by Dhoni and India.

As such there was no need for a formal hearing. Dhoni also acknowledged that he had been kept informed of the position regarding over-rates on a regular basis throughout the match and therefore accepted the decision.

In Dhoni's absence, Virender Sehwag may be the captain side in the fourth test at Adelaide.