In a setback for India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed penalties on the team following their slow over-rate during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. The ICC docked two World Test Championship points and levied a 10% fine on match fees for each player. The punishment came after India's defeat by an innings and 32 runs, dropping them to fifth place in the WTC points table.

ICC Elite Panel referee Chris Broad sanctioned the penalties as India fell two overs short of the required rate. Captain Rohit Sharma accepted the charges, avoiding a formal hearing. The points deduction pushed India further down the rankings to sixth place. The team's disappointing performance in Centurion, where they struggled in all departments, leaves them aiming to level the series in the upcoming New Year's Test in Cape Town. Despite a promising start with KL Rahul's brilliant knock, India's inability to maintain momentum led to their downfall in the Boxing Day Test.