India, Dec. 30 -- More than a month after the Kolkata Test between India and South Africa, a match that put the Eden Gardens pitch under intense scrutiny following India's defeat inside three days, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has delivered its verdict.

The sharply turning surface, widely criticised at the time and labelled a poor advertisement for Test cricket, escaped the fate suffered by the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch. ICC match referee Richie Richardson rated the Eden Gardens track as "satisfactory".

The verdict came despite strong criticism from former cricketers and experts, who deemed the Kolkata pitch unfit due to excessive turn and variable bounce. As many as 26 wickets fell over the first two days, with So...