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ICC rates Ahmedabad’s third-Test pitch as average; no sanction

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Sky247 Staff
New Update
MA Chidambaram Stadium

The India-England Test series was marred by controversies. Not because of the players but the nature of the pitches offered. Several experts openly criticised the BCCI for preparing the pitches that were too much in favour of the hosts. The wicket in the first Test in Chennai was a flat surface and India, being reliant on their spinners, was not benefitted from it. England batsmen made merry as the visitors crushed India by 227 runs.

India were not happy with the pitch and Virat Kohli didn't shy away from expressing his disappointment over the same. As expected, the surface in the next game started turning from Day 1. England had no answers to the Indian spinners as they lost the match by 329 runs inside 3 days. Then came the much awaited Pink Ball Test, which started and finished within a blink of an eye. The wicket was turning square from ball one and at times looked unplayable. Both India and England failed to touch the 150 run mark as the match ended inside 5 sessions with India winning the game by 10 wickets. 

The International Cricket Council has now given its verdict on the Ahmedabad pitch that was used in the third Test. As per a report by Cricbuzz, ICC has rated the Ahmedabad pitch as ‘average’, giving no sanctions. The sanctions are only given to pitches that are rated as ‘poor’. The pitch in the first test was rated as 'very good' while the surface in the following test was termed as 'average'. The wicket, that was used in the fourth Test, was rated as 'good'. Generally, it's the match referee who rates the pitches but since the officials in this series were from the host country, the ICC had to step in.

Cricket News International