The ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson checked the pitches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday in the lead up to the World Cup, early next year.
This was Atkinson's third visit to the venue and his views have gradually evolved from scepticism to guarded appreciation.
Atkinson first visited the stadium in December, last year and his subsequent report to the ICC was a scathing indictment about the playing surface that had not yet recovered from the scars of a long season.
Subsequently, Atkinson returned to the venue in June and then filed a positive report to the game's governing body and he expressed his satisfaction about the quality of the pitches.
In his latest trip along with fellow-consultant Prof. Eugene van Vuuren, Atkinson had a look at the pitches inside the Chinnaswamy Stadium and the ones in the adjacent KSCA (B) Ground besides having a long conversation with curator Narayan Raju.
The curator was a relieved man after his discussions with Atkinson “He asked me a series of questions about the pitch, its preparation and nature and I answered all of them.
“He also had a look at the KSCA (B) Ground where we have re-laid the practice pitches. We have about 20 pitches now. He was very happy with the surface and the ground condition and I am happy with his appraisal,” said Narayan Raju.
