The Newlands pitch is anticipated to be subject to censure, and sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) are highly probable. The Cape Town venue played host to the most recent Test match between South Africa and India. The match was completed in a mere five sessions, which is the shortest duration in the annals of Test cricket.
On the ground, demerit points are anticipated from the ICC, and it is currently unknown whether India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, will be sanctioned for his remarks criticizing the ICC and the match referee.
Presently, the international community is preoccupied with the 22-yard playing surface, as opposed to the criticism that the India captain directed at the ICC and match referees. The Test was won by India with a margin of seven wickets, and it lasted a mere 642 deliveries (107 overs).
The pitch, which yielded a result during the second session of the second day, attracted international censure, particularly due to the scrutiny surrounding match referee Chris Broad’s assessment of the strip. Broad, an accomplished match referee and former England batsman (although unpopular with Indian teams), is compelled to assign a rating that is deemed unsuitable or inadequate.
There are six possible classifications for pitches: unfit, below average, very good, decent, and average. Subsequent to the final two categories, any rating received may incur demerit points, which can vary from one to five, and may even result in suspension. While very good, decent, and average ratings remain unchallenged, a below-average grade could be regarded as a less severe penalty. An unsatisfactory or inappropriate evaluation is expected in this particular situation.
Following the processing of the match referee’s rating by its operations team in Dubai, the ICC will typically declare the verdict. Although not completely implausible, a definitive determination on Monday is improbable to persist beyond Tuesday.
Additionally scrutinized was the ground utilized during the first Test at Centurion, a match that concluded within a span of three days. Nevertheless, it has been relegated to a secondary position subsequent to the Newlands dispute.
According to Sunil Gavaskar’s syndicated column published on Sunday, a pitch in which a batter’s physical safety is in jeopardy is significantly more hazardous than one in which the batter’s reputation is the only concern. Additionally, he classified the Centurion wicket as “dangerous,” contending that it was a deliberate strategy executed by the South African cricket establishment and not an unintentional oversight.
Surface tension in South Africa is not novel to India. In 2018, following a triumph over the visiting team, coach Ravi Shastri made an observation regarding the enigmatic alteration that occurred between the third evening and the fourth morning of play at the Wanderers. Due to Dean Elgar’s headgear being struck by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, match referee Andy Pycroft halted play. Perceiving the pitch to be hazardous, South Africa, which was aiming to score 241, was 17 for one. Shastri asserts that the Indians encountered a moist and submissive pitch on the fourth morning. Furthermore, he compares the pitch conditions on days three and four to “chalk and cheese.” In the end, India emerged victorious in the Test by 63 runs; the reversal occurred solely subsequent to the onset of direct sunlight on the Wanderers pitch.
When Shastri was previously enigmatic, Rohit was this time forthright. “Everyone witnessed the events of this Test match and the condition of the pitch. Rohit stated, “I don’t mind playing on these types of pitches as long as everyone in India stays silent and doesn’t discuss Indian pitches.” He also criticized the International Cricket Council and match referees for their “double standard.” “That is my assessment, my viewpoint, and I shall adhere to it. I have sufficient exposure to both cricket and the manner in which match referees and the ICC calculate these ratings. It makes no difference to me how you rate; however, maintain a neutral stance.”
However, it is improbable that Rohit will be subjected to any sanctions.
