The International Cricket Council announced on Tuesday that Chris Broad, the match referee for the first Test between India and Australia in Pune, has rated the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium pitch as “poor.”
As per an ICC release, the report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which now has 14 days to respond to it.
Broad, who is also on the of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, submitted his report to the ICC in which he expressed concern over the quality of the pitch. Broad’s report is in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the release said.
“The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which now has 14 days to provide its response,” the ICC release said.
The BCCI’s response will be reviewed by ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.
The matter will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process, it added.
India, which lost the match by 333 runs on the third day of the match, collectively posted their lowest aggregate for a home Test match and ended up suffering their second biggest defeat at home in terms of runs.
Australia set a daunting target of 441, riding on skipper Steve Smith's batting masterclass on a rank turner, and then skittled out the hapless hosts for a paltry 107 in 33.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
