Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday said the Eden Gardens ground used for the first Test between India and South Africa is satisfactory, international media reported.
According to a statement, ICC match referee Richie Richardson gave this rating, which means the venue avoids any sanction.
The surface drew attention for its erratic bounce during the aforementioned tournament, which peaked within three days, when South Africa outplayed India by 30 runs.
“The pitch is what we’re looking for,” India head coach Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference, for those who were not subjected to widespread criticism across the pitch and its aftermath.
However, batting coach Chidanshu Kotak contradicted Gambhir ahead of the second Test, arguing that the latter was to blame instead of the curators.
“When Gautham came to the post-match press conference and put all the blame on himself — he said we heard (that pitch) — he did it because he felt the curators shouldn’t be blamed,” Kotak said.
“Every country plays to their strengths. In India, it’s spin. Every time since I came, we have the same conversation that the Test match should go on for four days, four-and-a-half days. What we want is a bit of spin (on the pitch), because spin is our strength,” he added.
For the uninitiated, the ICC rates pitches from very good to unworthy: very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory and inadequate.
One demerit point will be awarded per ground for an unsatisfactory rating and three points for an unqualified rating. If a ground receives five demerit points in a five-year period, it will be banned from hosting international cricket for 12 months.