Ben Stokes recently retired from ODI cricket. This has triggered discussions on the hectic schedule and whether the game is heading in the right direction. There were multiple views on how the game could be designed in a better way keeping both the players and the fans in mind. Popular commentator and ex-cricketer Ravi Shastri also had an opinion about this. He said that only the top six teams must play the five-day format for the survival of Test cricket.
Shastri feels only the top six teams must play the longest format
The future of Test cricket is lying in the balance. Amidst this, there is also a conversation about the quality of cricket on display. A discussion happened on similar lines recently on Sky Sports. Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri had a few comments to make.
He said, “If you want Test cricket to survive you cannot have 10, or 12 teams playing. Keep the top six, keep the quality of cricket going and respect quality over quantity. That’s the only way you open up a window for other cricket to be played.” The former India coach added that T20 or ODI cricket can be used to spread the game.
He added, “If they are in the top six, they play and if they are not in the top six, they do not play. Whether, it is India, Australia, or England, you have to qualify for that top-six, if you want to be around playing Test matches.” Ravi Shastri further suggested that the football model of a ‘big World Cup and various leagues’ can be adopted.
When he was questioned about the logic behind his suggestion, he replied that Test cricket is a format of the game that relies heavily on its quality. He said that if games are finished within two or three days, neither the fans nor the broadcasters will be happy. Shastri also took the example of games in England or India. He opined that the green tracks or spin-assisting pitches could end the game in a few sessions in these nations, respectively.
Test cricket does need a big boost
Until a few years, the relevance was missing in Test cricket. There was a competition for the mace but the overall context was somehow missing. However, with the introduction of the World Test Championship, there is an answer to this. Teams now have a bigger picture of what they are fighting for.
However, in terms of the quality of cricket and the entertainment value, Test cricket may require modifications. There are games that are finishing too soon and sometimes, all sessions may not necessarily be entertaining. These aspects need a solution at the earliest. It needs to be seen if the stakeholders take any decision in this regard in the future.
