Ferozeshah Kotla stadiums international exile is over. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday removed the one-year ban imposed on the stadium with immediate effect based on a detailed report from their pitch consultant Andy Atkinson,who spent the last week carefully monitoring a first-class game between Delhi and Gujarat. The re-certification now clears the way for Kotla to host all four scheduled World Cup 2011 matches. Yes,the DDCA has been informed verbally by the BCCI that ICC has lifted the ban on Ferozeshah Kotla stadium. We will be getting the written report tomorrow, DDCA secretary Sneh Bansal said. The ICC has studied Atkinsons report and are very happy with the new pitch and the facilities provided. They have told us about a few shortcomings,especially with the sightscreens. We will take care of that as well, he added. Kotla was banned for one year in December 2009 after the India-Sri Lanka one-dayer had to be abandoned due to a dangerous pitch and the wicket then had to be redone. Venkat Sundaram,the chairman of BCCI pitches committee,who supervised the entire reworking of the Kotla pitch over the last 12 months was happy with the final outcome. Its a job well done. It was hard work but I am happy that Kotla will host World Cup matches. In fact,I can safely say that the Kotla wicket will go onto produce some really high-scoring matches in the World Cup. The outfield has been rated as one of the best in the country, says Sundaram,who accompanied the ICC team on Monday on a visit to Kotla. Ranji matches shifted out With ICC granting approval,Sundaram informed that Delhis next two Ranji Trophy matches,against Assam and Railways,has been shifted out from the Kotla to the Roshanara ground. It was a decision taken in consultation with Atkinson. We felt that three centre-wickets need to preserved from wear and tear,and some grass needs to be planted again on the surface. Its still a new wicket and I felt it was best not to make the three wickets go through eight days of unnecessary workload, Sundaram said. The decision comes as a relief to the Delhi Ranji team management as well,who have been unhappy over the benign nature of pitches given to them at home. Teams request to provide a rank green-top or shift their matches were rejected by the DDCA last week citing the ICCs visit. Delhi wasted an opportunity to take full points against Gujarat despite dismissing them for just 71 on Day One.
