New Delhi, Dec. 30 -- The Eden Gardens' Kolkata pitch for the first India-South Africa Test back in November, which was wrapped up in three days, has received a "satisfactory" rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Richie Richardson.

As per ESPNCricinfo, the rating will help the iconic venue to stay immune from any sanctions by the ICC, despite the immense criticism the pitch received from fans and experts alike, failing to produce gripping Test cricket. India's loss at the venue was their first in a Test match at this venue in 13 years.

Within the ICC's four-tier pitch-rating system, 'satisfactory' lies at level two, sandwiched right in between "very good" and "unsatisfactory". The lowest grading a pitch coul...