Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [ Images ] is facing the danger of a one-match ban unless his side manage to increase their over-rate following slow bowling during England's [ Images ] first innings in the opening cricket Test.

India [ Images ] recorded an over-rate of 13 overs per hour instead of the required 15, according to a report in the tabloid Daily Express.

The ICC [ Images ] code of conduct states 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.

India had failed to maintain the required over-rate during January's third Test against South Africa [ Images ] and the recent match against the West Indies [ Images ] in Barbados.

Even if Dhoni escapes punishment at Lord's here, the threat will remain throughout the England Test series, the report said.