ICC warns BCCI over poor pitch quality in Kanpur

The game's world governing body also recommended that the BCCI take remedial action to ensure a similar pitch is never prepared in future at that venue.

To that end, the BCCI's pitch consultant Daljit Singh has been asked to assist the process.

The BCCI, on its part, accepted the warning and has promised to undertake the necessary action to ensure the pitch at Kanpur is improved for future international matches.

"I thank the ICC for its input and decision in relation to this and I can assure everyone that we will take all steps necessary to ensure this does not happen in the future," said BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.

The pitch, on which India won the third and final Test to level the series 1-1 against South Africa, saw 32 wickets fall in three days play.

It came in for sharp criticism from the visitors with Proteas coach Micky Arthur saying that the track was one of the most under-prepared in the world.

At that point match referee Roshan Mahanama, who oversaw the Test, submitted a report to the ICC expressing his concern over the quality of the playing surface.

We have come to a decision that the pitch prepared for the match should be rated as 'poor'," Richardson said.

"We have taken into consideration the explanations offered by the BCCI as to the reasons for the dryness of the pitch and we have noted that there is no previous record of a sub-standard pitch being prepared in Kanpur.

"However, taking all the evidence into account and, in accordance with clause 4.2 of the regulation, we have decided to impose an official warning as the sanction," he added.