ICC Summons State Authorities for Nagpur, Delhi Pitches In BGT 2023: Reports
Dravid obsering the Delhi surface [Twitter]
In a shocking turn of events, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly penalised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the state associates for the pitches offered in the first two Tests in the ongoing series between India and Australia.
The first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023 played at Nagpur and Delhi were completed in three days, as the visitor batters could not adapt to the conditions. However, in both matches, the hosts showed the way to bat on the Indian pitches, but the visitors faltered in the second innings.
The pitch debacle started well before the series commenced. The Nagpur track has received 'an average rating' by match referee Andy Pycroft, while the second Test in Delhi, which got over inside 2.5 days also received an average rating from Pycroft.
Average rating means the surface was fair in criteria, but was not a perfect wicket for conducting Test matches.
Before the start of the Nagpur Test, images were surfaced in which Steve Smith and David Warner were closely monitoring the surface to check its hardness. Images of selective watering also surfaced, which was done to make sure that area outside the off for the left-handers was left dry for the spinners to exploit.
But in fairness, it could be said that Australian batters failed to apply the basics. In the Delhi Test, they tried the sweep and reverse sweep on every delivery and paid the price for it as Jadeja wreaked havoc and picked up 7 wickets in the second innings.
India lead 2-0 in the series, and will look to wrap things up in the third Test, slated to begin on March 1 in Indore.
 "Arjun Bhalla")
