Under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the pitch used for the third Test between India and Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore played as part of the ICC World Test Championship, has been classified as “poor” by the ICC, as the match ended in just two days and a session.
The pitch provided significant assistance to the spin bowlers from both India and Australia right from the first day of the third Test at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, resulting in 14 wickets falling on day one alone. Throughout the match, a total of 31 wickets were taken, with spinners claiming a remarkable 26 wickets, while only four wickets were taken by the pacers. Additionally, one wicket was the result of a run-out.
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Following consultation with the captains of both teams, Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith, ICC Match Referee Chris Broad submitted a report concluding that the Holkar Stadium in Indore will receive three demerit points due to the poor quality of the pitch used during the third Test between India and Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been given a 14-day window to appeal the sanction if they so choose.
ICC Issues Official Statement On Indore Pitch For India vs Australia
Under the guidelines of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, any venue that accrues five or more demerit points within a span of five years will face suspension from hosting any international cricket matches for a period of 12 months.
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“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,” ICC Match Referee Chris Broad said.
With India leading 2-1, the Border-Gavaskar series now moves to Ahmedabad for the final Test. Australia secured their spot in the World Test Championship final with their victory in Indore, while the home team have an opportunity to do the same if they emerge victorious in the final Test.
However, if the hosts fail to win, they will need a helping hand from current WTC champions, New Zealand, who must avoid a whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka have a chance to overtake India for the second spot in the standings only if they secure a 2-0 victory over the Black Caps in the upcoming two-match series starting on 9 March. Otherwise, Australia will face India in the WTC Final at the Oval on 7 June.
