IND vs AUS: Indore pitch rating changed from ‘poor’ to ‘below average’

The Indore pitch ranking has been modified from ‘poor’ to ‘below average’ by the ICC after an attraction by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Holkar Stadium hosted the third Test between India and Australia and the Rohit Sharma-led house facet suffered a nine-wicket loss.

“Pursuant to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the rating of pitch used for the third Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between India and Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore from 1-3 March has been changed from poor to below average,” the ICC stated in an announcement.

“Having reviewed footage of the Test match, the ICC appeal panel, consisting of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket, and Roger Harper, ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Member, were of the opinion that, while the guidelines had been followed by the Match Referee in accordance with Appendix A of the Pitch Monitoring Process, it was deemed that there was not enough excessive variable bounce to warrant the “poor” ranking. Instead, the attraction panel concluded that the pitch ought to be rated as under common,” the assertion added.

However, the Holkar Stadium coped up with one demerit level for the under common ranking.

India was all out for 109 and 163 in its two innings whereas Australia managed 197 in its first essay earlier than knocking off the required 76 runs to register a large win on the third morning.

The Pune pitch in 2017, a venue for the India-Australia Test then, was the final time a floor in India was rated poor.