ICC rated the Indore pitch, on which the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was played, as ‘POOR’ under the committee’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar called ICC’s verdict ‘harsh’, and gave a brutal reminder of the Gabba pitch which had hosted a Test match between Australia and South Africa last November.
Speaking on the pitch, that received three demerit points, ICC Match Referee Chris Broad said: “The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start. The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.”
Gavaskar, in conversation with India Today, was left fuming at ICC’s statement.
“One thing I would like to know, there was this Test match in November in Brisbane Gabba, where the match finished in 2 days. How many demerit points did that pitch get and who was the match referee there?” he questioned. “I think 3 demerit points is a little harsh, because, in this pitch, yes the ball turned, but it was not dangerous. When Australia get to a score of 77 for the loss of one wicket it actually tells you that the pitch got a lot better,” Gavaskar said.
Team India will now be facing Australia in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting from 9 March. Team India will try to win that match at any cost as they would get direct qualification to the WTC final if they win the series by 3-1.