Kolkata Test Pitch Receives 'Satisfactory' Rating from ICC Despite Criticism

The pitch at Eden Gardens for the recent India-South Africa Test has been rated 'satisfactory' by the ICC, despite facing heavy criticism for not providing an exciting match. This rating protects the venue from sanctions, even as India suffered a rare defeat at home. The match showcased uneven bounce and limited scoring, with notable performances from both fast bowlers and spinners. Coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch, while South Africa capitalized on the conditions, marking India's second consecutive home Test series loss. Read on for a detailed analysis of the match and pitch conditions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 30, 2025, 22:19 IST

Kolkata Test Pitch Evaluation

The pitch at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, used for the first Test between India and South Africa in November, has been rated as 'satisfactory' by Richie Richardson, the match referee from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to reports, this rating will protect the historic venue from facing any penalties from the ICC, even though it faced significant backlash from fans and analysts for not delivering an engaging Test match.

Understanding the ICC Pitch Rating System

India's defeat at this venue marked their first loss in a Test match there in over a decade. The ICC employs a four-tier pitch rating system, where 'satisfactory' is positioned at level two, situated between 'very good' and 'unsatisfactory'. The lowest possible rating is 'unfit'.

Following each Test match that concludes within two to four days, these ratings are closely monitored. For instance, the pitch used during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) between Australia and England received an 'unsatisfactory' rating along with a demerit point, as the match ended in just two days without any fifties scored across four innings, with all 36 wickets falling to fast bowlers.

Analysis of the Kolkata Pitch and Match Highlights

From the very first ball of the Kolkata Test, the pitch exhibited uneven bounce, with some deliveries being excessively high and others too low. As the match progressed, spinners were able to extract more turn. The pitch proved advantageous for both fast bowlers and spinners, with Marco Jansen claiming three vital wickets while defending a total of 124 runs, and Simon Harmer achieving four wickets in both innings. Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul was another standout performance.

Neither team managed to surpass the 200-run mark in either innings, with India being bowled out for a mere 93 runs. Axar Patel made a brief counter-attack, scoring 26 runs off 17 balls, including a four and two sixes, while skipper Shubman Gill missed the match due to a neck injury sustained shortly after beginning his innings.

Coach's Comments and Series Outcome

In light of the criticism, head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch during the post-match press conference, stating, 'This was exactly the pitch we were looking for.'

While the pitch in Guwahati was deemed better, South Africa's performance was commendable, leading to India's second consecutive Test series loss at home, following a disappointing 0-3 defeat to New Zealand.