'Decent pitch' in the offing for Bengaluru ODI

During the IPL earlier this year, the pitch played slow in contrast to its usual nature, producing a series of low totals. In March, when India and Australia met in the second Test here, the pitch received a "below average" rating from the match referee for having variable bounce.

The assistant curator of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium says the fourth ODI should make for an 'evenly-poised game'.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association will roll out a "decent ODI pitch" for the fourth one-dayer between India and Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday. 

"I won't say it will be full of runs but it will be a decent ODI pitch. It should make for an evenly-poised game," said assistant curator Prashanth Rao. "During the IPL, although the pitch was on the slower side, teams had no complaints and we got to see good contests."

During the IPL earlier this year, the pitch played slow in contrast to its usual nature, producing a series of low totals. In March, when India and Australia met in the second Test here, the pitch received a "below average" rating from the match referee for having variable bounce. "We had just refurbished the pitch. That Test match perhaps came a little too early. But it still played largely true," said Prashanth.

Following the conclusion of this ODI, the KSCA will 'top-dress' the pitch, as part of maintenance work. No Ranji Trophy matches will thus be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this season.