The match referee rates Pune pitch as "poor" in his match report

The Test match at Pune saw Australia win by a massive 333 runs. But what was more interesting is that the Test match got over within 3 days. India couldn’t manage to play more than 70 overs and that’s combining both the innings. The pitch saw the ball turn from day one session one. In fact, the very first overs from Ishant Sharma saw the pitch wear as there were parts of the pitch coming apart.

The rough marks on the pitch were at an all-time high when India came to bat and it helped the Aussies a great deal. However, Steve Smith was unaffected by the same.

To make matters worse for BCCI, the Pune pitch was rated “poor” by the ICC match referee Chris Broad in his match report. There are six types of ratings for the pitch, very good, good, above average, below average, poor and unfit. Where “unfit” is unplayable. Being termed poor can be hazardous for the venue. BCCI has fourteen days to respond to this match report.

This can cost the board either a warning or a $15000 fine. Pune which has produced some belters for the domestic cricket and also produced one for the One Day International against the Englishman went for a rank turner this time around. This backfired right in the face of the Indian team.

ICC’s General Manager Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees will welcome the reply from the BCCI on the poor ratings.

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The poor rating also means that BCCI will get directions to take the corrective measures. This can be helpful for the next time when the venue hosts a test again. The senior cricket writer for Cricket Australia, Andrew Ramsey tweeted a picture of the Day five-pitch from Pune.

The tweet came with a photo and said “The Pune pitch on what should have been day 5 of 1st Test. Wouldn’t want to be chasing more than about 37 on this #INDvAUS.”