Xtra Time Web Desk: In all probability the wicket for the third Border Gavaskar Trophy test match at Indore will get below average rating by ICC match referee Chris Broad. The 22 yards at the Holkar Stadium was an absolute shocker for the batters as the ball started to spin square inside the first 30 minutes. 14 wickets fell on day one itself, and six wickets fell before the lunch session on Day 2.
The wicket for the third test came in for a lot of criticism. While nothing is official yet but it is expected ICC match referee Chris Board is likely to take a harsh call. The wickets for the first two test matches in Nagpur and Delhi was rated average by ICC.
Why does ICC is likely to give below average rating to the Indore surface? First and foremost reason is the manner on which the ball turned squared from the first hour itself and uneven bounce that took the batters by surprise. Few balls kept very low like for the instance of Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal and also Marnus Labuschagne’s out.
India was all out for just 109 in just over a session on day one of the Indore Test, while Australia lost four wickets and crawled their way to 156 at end of the day’s play. The visitors lost six wickets before lunch on Day 2, prompting experts and Australian media to deem it unfit.
Before directly putting the blame on the curators, it must be taken into account, the match at Indore was shifted last minute owing to Dharmshala’s venue proving to be unfit and underprepared. It takes at least a month to prepare a sporting wicket and the curator did not get enough time for it.