‘Pitch was prepared under their supervision’: State organisation blames BCCI for Indore debacle

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has declared it should not be held responsible for the “poor” pitch used in the third Test between India and Australia last week, blaming the BCCI for the debacle.

The Indore Test wrapped up in less than seven sessions last week, denying fans nearly three days of action — India was rolled for 109 on day one after winning the toss and electing to bat first, with nine wickets falling to spin. Australian tweaker Nathan Lyon claimed 11 cheap wickets as the tourists cruised to a nine-wicket victory, India’s third Test defeat on home soil in the last decade.

The Holkar Cricket Stadium wicket was given a “poor” rating by the ICC, copping three demerit points and putting the venue at risk of suspension from hosting international cricket.

“The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start,” match referee Chris Broad said in a statement.

“The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.”

Indore curators were given two weeks to prepare a Test-quality pitch after the venue was moved from Dharamshala at the eleventh hour due to poor outfield conditions.

Speaking to local media earlier this week, MPCA president Abhilash Khandekar claimed the state organisation was not responsible for pitch preparation, shifting blame firmly on the BCCI.

“Two curators from BCCI had come eight to ten days before the match. The pitch was prepared under their supervision. The MPCA had no role in making the pitch,” he told the Times of India.

“I want to make it clear that just like any other state board association in international matches, MPCA has no role in making the pitch. BCCI curators come and they get the direction from BCCI along with the Indian team management.”

Khandekar also defended the Indore pitch despite heavy backlash: “As far as match finishing in three days is concerned, we have seen such of matches in Nagpur and Delhi also. There has been criticism of the pitch but if you will see the post-match conference, both captains have supported the pitch so we have nothing to add.”

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith confessed he enjoyed playing on spinning wickets that turn from day one.

“All the wickets have spun, we haven’t gotten past three days yet so that shows that it’s been spinning from day one in all the Test matches but I personally I really enjoyed playing on these kind of wickets,” Smith said.
“I prefer this than just a genuine flat wicket that goes five days and can be boring in stages. There’s always something happening on these wickets. You’ve got to really work hard for your runs. But it’s showed that the guys can do it. Guys can do it, you’ve got to work hard for them and you need some luck.

“With this one, whether it might have been a little bit too extreme, potentially from the first ball. I’m not really entirely sure, but it was still another enjoyable.”

There is uncertainty surrounding which pitch will be used for the series finale in Ahmedabad — on Tuesday, two separate wickets were covered at Narendra Modi Stadium because curators were yet to decide which deck would be used for the fourth Test, which gets underway on Thursday.

According to a local report, the Gujarat Cricket Association is still awaiting instruction from the BCCI on what sort of pitch to prepare.

“We haven’t received any instructions from the Indian team management and our local curators are preparing a normal track, as we have always done through the season,” a state association source told PTI.

“Obviously, (over the) last few days the BCCI’s grounds and pitches committee instruct the local curator … but, certainly, from our end, our endeavour is to produce a good Test match pitch.”