The International Cricket Council (ICC) has changed the rating of the pitch at Indore from 'poor' to 'below average' following an appeal by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"Following an appeal by BCCI about the pitch and outfield monitoring process, the rating of pitch used for the third Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between India and Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore from 1st to 3rd March has been changed from 'poor' to 'below average,'-ICC said in a statement. The pitch came under immense scrutiny after the match ended after five sessions.

The ICC appeal panel consisting of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket, and Roger Harper, ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Member, reviewed footage from the match after BCCI had lodged an appeal on the rating. The report submitted by ICC Match Referee Chris Broad says, 'It was deemed that there was not enough excessive variable bounce to warrant the 'poor' rating. Instead, the appeal panel concluded that the pitch should be rated as 'below average.'

Broad also added, "Consequently, 1 demerit point has been awarded to the venue for the 'below average' rating."

ICC Match Referee Chris Broad had submitted a report to the ICC expressing the concerns of the match officials after consulting with both the captains Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith. After the assessment, the venue received three demerit points. India lost to Australia by nine wickets in Indore Test.