Newlands pitch in Cape Town which hosted India vs South Africa second Test rated as 'unsatisfactory'

Newlands pitch in Cape Town which hosted India vs South Africa second Test has been rated as 'unsatisfactory' by the ICC. Rohit Sharma and Dean Elgar felt the pitch was below standard and expressed their dissatisfaction to match referee Chris Broad.

The rating was given following ICC's assessment of the wicket as per the ICC Pitch and Outfield monitoring process. The venue has now received one demerit point. Notably, the demerit points are active for a rolling five-year period and if a venue accumulates six demerit points then it is suspended from staging any form of international cricket for a period of 12 months.

As many as 23 wickets fell on Day 1 of the second Test which India won by seven wickets inside five sessions to level the two-match series 1-1. The match now holds the record of shortest-ever Test match played in the history of the game. It lasted 642 balls only. South Africa were bundled out for 55 in the first innings.

"The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on. The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce," match referee Chris Broad said in his report.

Not a single over of spin was bowled from both the sides. India pacer Mohammed Siraj registered figures of 6/15 in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah picked a six-wicket haul in the second innings which saw South Africa scored 176 after a 106-run contribution from Aiden Markram.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) can challenge the verdict from the ICC within 14 days.