The ICC has released its evaluations of the Indian pitches used during the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, which hosted the opening Test between India and Bangladesh in mid-September, received a “very good” rating for providing a balanced, competitive surface. This was in stark contrast to the second Test venue in Kanpur, where Green Park’s outfield received an “unsatisfactory” rating from the ICC, highlighting concerns about its playing conditions.
According to PTI, each of the venues used in India’s series against New Zealand—Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Pune’s MCA, and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium—received “satisfactory” ratings from the ICC. The ratings reflect a general approval but with room for improvement, as India’s home pitches often come under scrutiny for playing conditions that can influence match outcomes.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India clinched a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh. The match in Kanpur concluded quickly, in just 173 overs, propelled by India’s record-breaking run-rate of 7.36. However, India’s momentum was interrupted when New Zealand arrived, as the hosts suffered their first-ever series whitewash at home, losing 0-3 in a hard-fought set of games.
This ICC review provides insights into the conditions that shaped these recent Test matches. As the Indian team looks forward to upcoming series, these ratings will likely prompt discussions on pitch preparations, particularly to avoid issues like the one noted at Green Park.
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