The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has contested the verdict of International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad, who judged the Indore pitch for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series as “poor”. This decision resulted in three demerit points for the venue.
The BCCI has accordingly appealed Broad’s judgment with the ICC, which will review the matter under ICC norms. The general manager (cricket) Wasim Khan and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is currently the chairman of the ICC men’s cricket committee, will be hearing the appeal. However, Ganguly will not participate in the process, as he is from India, the ICC member country that has contested the decision.
The ICC will appoint a replacement for Ganguly in this process. The BCCI has been heartened by the fact that there’s a precedent of the ICC overturning or revising such verdicts. In 2020, the pitch rating for an England-Pakistan Test held in Rawalpindi was reconsidered due to an appeal.
This dispute highlights the importance of ensuring that cricket pitches meet acceptable standards. Both teams must have a fair opportunity to perform and compete, and the quality of the pitch can significantly impact their abilities. The BCCI’s appeal aims to ensure that the tournament concluded on a fair and level playing field for all teams.
