London: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni faces the danger of a one-match ban following a slow over rate during England's first innings in the first cricket Test at Lord's.

India recorded an over-rate of 13 per hour instead of the required 15.

The ICC code of conduct says that the captain of any team which is found guilty of bowling slow over-rates on three occasions in a 12-month period will face a one-match suspension.

Dhoni has already been twice noted by ICC after India failed to reach the required over-rate during January's third Test against South Africa and the recent match against the West Indies in Barbados.

For Dhoni, even if he escapes punishment for the first Test by match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the threat looms throughout the series.