IND vs SL: ICC rates Bengaluru pitch 'below average'
What's the story
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, that hosted the second Test (Day/Night) between India and Sri Lanka, "below average". Javagal Srinath, who is among ICC's Elite Panel of Match Referees, gave the rating. Therefore, the iconic venue has received one demerit point. As per Srinath, the pitch offered plenty of turn on Day 1 itself.
Context
Why does this story matter?
As many as 26 of the 39 wickets in the 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka fell to spin. The opening day of the Test saw 16 wickets fall, while Days 2 and 3 accounted for 14 and nine, respectively. In the first innings, for Sri Lanka, Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama took three wickets apiece, while Dhananjaya de Silva scalped two.
Quote
Here is what Srinath wrote in his report
"The pitch offered a lot of turn on the first day itself and though it improved with every session, in my view, it was not an even contest between bat and ball," Srinath's report on the Bengaluru deck read.
Rules
Chinnaswamy Stadium to receive one demerit point
As per ICC's rules, one demerit point is handed to venues whose pitches are rated "below average". Meanwhile, pitches which are rated "poor" and "unfit" receive three and five demerit points, respectively. Notably, demerit points are active for a rolling period of five years. If a stadium receives five or more demerit points, it is suspended from hosting any international match for 12 months.
Match
How did the 2nd Test pan out?
India racked up 252 after electing to bat in the Day/Night Test. Shreyas Iyer's 92-run knock stood out. Sri Lanka were rolled over for just 109, with Jasprit Bumrah taking a five-wicket haul. In the second innings, India declared on 303/9. Iyer continued his phenomenal run with another half-century. SL (208) failed to chase the 447-run target despite Dimuth Karunaratne's magnificent ton.
Series
India routed Sri Lanka 2-0
India routed SL 2-0 in the two-Test series, winning their 15th successive series at home. They are yet to lose a Test series in home conditions since 2012/13 when England defeated them 2-1. India last lost a Test match at home in February 2021 (to England). They have won six Tests (beat England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka) and drawn one ever since.