The question raised on the pitch of Holkar Stadium in Indore after the third test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has drawn the attention of many. India lost the third test against Australia in Holkar stadium in Indore after securing initial two consecutive in the series. However, after keenly assessing the nature of the Indore Pitch, Chris Broad, match referee gave the pitch poor rating saying that the pitch was very dry and did not suit the fair connection of bat and ball. He said that the spinners were getting help from the beginning of the match; there was also excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.
After this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lodged an appeal with BCCI over the poor rating given to indore pitch by match referee Chris Broad. Now a two-member ICC panel will conduct a review before announcing their verdict within 14 days.
Chris Broad’s rating to the pitch may cost the stadium a ban as it has accrued three demerit points which will continue for a five year rolling and in case the pitch remains two more demerits points within five years, the Holkar stadium may witness one year ban.
India has seized the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth time in a row by winning the initial two matches of the series against Australia in Nagpur and Delhi. However, the pitches of the first two matches were also rated average by the appointed match referee for the first two matches, Andy Pycroft. The first two matches also ended in 3 days in which India won both.
However, despite the fact that it is kind of unusual for boards to appeal against pitch ratings, it is still not an unheard term. Pakistan Cricket Board recently lodged an appeal against the low pitch ratings given to the Rawalpindi Surface, which ended successfully.
