The outfield at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium has received an “unsatisfactory” rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the rain-affected second Test between India and Bangladesh from September 27 to October 1, 2024. As a result, the venue has been handed one demerit point.
The Test was marred by weather disruptions, with only 35 overs of play possible on the opening day. The second and third days saw no action, despite no rain falling during the scheduled playing hours on the third day. This led to widespread criticism of the ground’s preparedness, especially after the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) was forced to limit spectator access to parts of the stadium due to safety concerns over one of its stands.
In defense of the venue, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, who hails from Kanpur, acknowledged the ground’s need for refurbishment but stressed that Green Park had been a historical venue, hosting Test cricket since 1952.
While the outfield earned an “unsatisfactory” rating, the pitch for the Test match was rated “satisfactory.”
The ICC rates all international venues on a scale of “very good,” “satisfactory,” “unsatisfactory,” and “unfit.” An “unsatisfactory” rating results in one demerit point, while an “unfit” rating leads to three points. If a ground accumulates five or more demerit points within a five-year period, it faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international matches.
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Despite the disruption, India went on to secure a dominant win, dismissing Bangladesh for 20 wickets in just 121.2 overs and scoring 383 runs in a rapid 52 overs across both innings.
Other venues used in India’s 2024-25 home season, including those in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, received no such censure, with the pitch at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium earning a “very good” rating for the first Test against Bangladesh.
