The outfield at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium was rated “unsatisfactory” by the ICC due to poor playing conditions during the India-Bangladesh Test match. Only 35 overs were completed on the first day, and no play took place on the second and third days, even with clear weather on day three. Additionally, concerns about the stadium’s structural integrity led authorities to limit seating in one of the stands, after the state’s public works department deemed it unsafe.
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), which manages Green Park under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government, was responsible for the stadium’s maintenance. While the pitch itself was rated “satisfactory,” the outfield’s condition impacted the overall match experience, highlighting the need for improved upkeep.
Other venues in India received mixed ratings from the ICC. Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch received a “very good” rating, while the pitches in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai were deemed “satisfactory” but were criticized for challenges, such as excessive moisture at Chinnaswamy Stadium and the “rank turners” in Pune and Mumbai. These conditions led to some difficult batting conditions but did not drop the rating below “satisfactory” due to noteworthy individual performances.
In contrast, the high-scoring T20 tracks in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad were praised as “very good” for meeting the shorter format’s requirements. Nonetheless, the Indian team management, BCCI, and curators may find the “satisfactory” ratings on Test pitches disappointing, as they aim to create balanced conditions that provide a fair contest between bat and ball.
