Sydney, Dec 9 (IANS): Team India have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the third and final T20I played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Virat Kohli's men were found one over short and thus have been fined 20 per cent of their match fees.

With Kohli pleading guilty to the offence, there was no hearing for the sanction imposed by match referee David Boon.

"David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India was one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration," stated an ICC media release.

"In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," it added.

This was the second instance in the ongoing Australia tour when India were sanctioned for maintaining slow over-rate. They had been similarly fined after the first ODI for maintaining a slow over-rate.

India, after losing the ODI series 1-2, came back strongly to win the T20I series. However, they were unable to complete a series whitewash as they suffered a 12-run defeat in the final T20I on Tuesday.

The two teams will now compete in a four-match Test series beginning December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.