Bengaluru: The pitch at the M Chinnaswamy stadium – venue for the second and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka last week – has been rated ‘below average’. The rating has been given by
Javagal Srinath, the ICC match referee, in his report to the world governing body. As a result, the venue, which hosted its maiden Day/ Night Test encounter was handed one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
The low-scoring contest within three days with the home side registering a commanding 238-run victory over the Islanders. The pitch, a rank turner from Day 1, drew a lot of flak after 16 wickets fell on the opening day on March 12. The highest team total on the surface was 303/9 declared by India in the second innings.
Of the 39 wickets that fell on either side, the spinners accounted for 26, with India’s lead pacer
Jasprit Bumrah being the most successful fast bowler with a match haul of eight wickets.
In his report, Srinath, a former pacer merchant, noted, “The pitch offered a lot of turn on the first day itself and though it improved with every session, in my view, it was not an even contest between bat and ball.”
Earlier in 2017, the Bengaluru wicket was rated below average by match referee
Chris Broad after the second Test between India and Australia.
WICKET NOT GREAT: IYERThe players too had their views reserved on the surface with
Shreyas Iyer, pointing out “There was bounce but some balls were stopping, and it was variable. The wicket was not that great. It’s obviously bowler-friendly.”
According to the ICC, demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period and if a venue accumulates five demerit points or more, it is suspended from hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months.
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