After India’s defeat in the first game of the India vs Australi test series in Pune which ended in just three days, International Cricket Council (ICC) Match Referee Chris Broad has rated Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium pitch in Pune as “poor”. In addition, the international council has also asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reply withing 14 days.
The first match between India and Australia, started on February 23, had a very dramatic ending after the Aussies defeated team India by 333 runs and distorted their 19-match unbeaten run. On the other hand, BCCI has filed their report on the basis of Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. The response from the board will be received by the ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.
Later, once the reports are verified, the matter will be decided following the Clause 4 of the process. It is not the first time that an Indian pitch has attracted negative feedback from the match referee.
On November 25, in the first test between India and Australia held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, India lost the game by 333 runs to Australia and the match ended on the third day itself. With this defeat, Voyage of team India of winning 19 continuous Test games in a row has come to an end.
Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe became the prime destroyer who took a total of 12 wickets in the first game of 4-match Test series. The third and the last session was a complete setback for the guests as the hopes to take over this ongoing match completely ruined up. Wicket came up with the very first ball of the last session thereby by making Cheteshwar Pujara return to the pavilion. No one from the rest of the squad could do well and the wicket falling rate speeded than earlier.
