The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the outfield at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur as “unsatisfactory” following India’s recent Test match against Bangladesh. Only 35 overs were completed on the first day of the Test, while no play was possible on the second and third days due to a problematic outfield, despite no rain during the scheduled hours on the third day. Additionally, safety concerns were raised before the match as the public works department deemed one of the stands unsafe, allowing only limited access to the upper-level seats for spectators. Green Park Stadium, managed by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) under an MoU with the state government, is owned by the government but operated by the UPCA.
The pitch used for this Test match, however, received a “satisfactory” rating from the ICC.
Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium Rated ‘Very Good’
The ICC awarded the pitch at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, used for India’s Test against Bangladesh, a “very good” rating. Other venues used in India during the season received “satisfactory” ratings. Test venues like Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai also received “satisfactory” ratings.
The high-scoring pitches used for T20 internationals in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad against Bangladesh were rated “very good” as they met ICC standards for T20 conditions.
Concerns Among Indian Team Management Over ‘Satisfactory’ Ratings
The “satisfactory” rating for Test venues may disappoint the Indian team management and curators, as former Australian cricketer and ICC match referee David Boon rated the surfaces conservatively. Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy pitch, in particular, had excessive moisture, leading to India being bowled out for just 46 runs against New Zealand, while the pitches in Pune and Mumbai were “rank turners” that didn’t fully align with ICC standards for balanced Test wickets. Despite this, these pitches managed to secure “satisfactory” ratings, thanks to strong individual performances from batsmen on both teams.
The ICC’s assessments have highlighted a need for Indian venues to meet higher standards, especially for Test cricket, while continuing to deliver competitive playing surfaces across formats.
