After the completion of the third Test on February 3, 2023, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his displeasure with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) grading of the Indore surface (Holkar Stadium).
The third Test was yet another Test match in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 to conclude in three days. While the pitches of the first two Tests were heavily discussed, the pitch at Indore surpassed all expectations.
It posed no threat, Sunil Gavaskar ICC’s method of evaluation
“I believe that three demerit points are a bit excessive, given the ball did turn on this field, but it was not harmful. When Australia reaches 77 for the loss of one wicket, it indicates that the pitch has significantly improved “The 73-year-old stated this in an interview with India Today.
The former India opener was forthright in expressing his disappointment with the condition of the Indore ground. He was of the opinion that the pitch in Indore wasn’t as horrible as was being made out, despite frequent attention being paid to it.
On the basis of his research of the Indore pitch, match referee Chris Broad concluded that the pitch favored spinners and that there was a severe lack of a level playing field between bat and ball. He then took a direct shot at the ICC and accused the world governing body of being clearly prejudiced, citing the Gabba pitch of 2022, where a Test match between Australia and South Africa ended in less than two days, as an example. Strangely, the Gabba pitch was judged “below ordinary” with only one deducted point.
“In November in Brisbane, Gabba, there was a two-day Test match that I would like to learn more about. How many demerit points did this field receive, and who was the match official?”
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