ICC announces the pitch verdict for the Indian cricket team's three-day Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru

India and Sri Lanka played their second and final Test in Bengaluru on Friday, where 16 wickets fell on an opening day, with the islanders getting thrashed by 103 runs in three days. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given its verdict on the pitch used for that match. According to the match referee’s report, Javagal Srinath, the pitch received a lower-than-average rating. A demerit will be assigned to the venue under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

”In my opinion, the pitch offered a lot of turn on the first day itself and even though it improved with every session, the battle between bat and ball was not even,” stated Srinath in a recent interview. On Day 3 of the match, after Sri Lanka chased 447, Dimuth Karunaratne made 107 on a surface that was turning from the first day. The pink-ball game also saw India record a 2-0 whitewash and move up to No. 4 in the World Test Championship table. ”A country can be banned from hosting international cricket matches for a period of 12 months if it accumulates five demerit points or more in a five-year period,” the ICC said in its release.

Sri Lanka had to chase down India’s 303 for nine in the second innings as Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant scored 67 and 50 respectively. It was a bowlers’ day on the first day, with nine wickets taken by spinners, as bowlers dominated the game. India was bowled out for 252 on Day 1 after Sri Lanka finished the morning 86 for six.