- Cricket as a game has metamorphosed into an extremely competitive but huge revenue-generating sport is stating the obvious. Gone are the days when cricket used to be a meandering sport, especially Test cricket, played over five days. If you remember, decades ago, a rest day was added to make it a six-day Test. Thankfully, the rest day has been buried for good. Test matches often ended in a dreary draw, leaving cricket fans exasperated with results coming in a trickle. The subcontinent pitches often produced boring draws but ensured the batters had a field day scoring big runs. The advent of white ball cricket completely altered the way with coloured clothing, TV broadcasting, sponsors, advertisers, and digital mediums playing a defining role in spreading.
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- Of course, the ultra-short T20 format has completely overhauled the way cricket is being played, apart from raking in unheard of revenue for the Boards. The thrilling T20 cricket has prompted the hitherto monotonous Test cricket into an exciting prospect, what with attacking instincts allowing the players to shed their earlier safety-first approach. The resultant outcome is that every Test match of late produces results with a tame draw becoming an exception rather than the norm. However, worryingly, Test match cricket is well attended in hardly few countries like Australia, England, India, and maybe, South Africa and New Zealand. The rest of the other countries lack the patrons who wish to soak in the unbridled enjoyment that only Test cricket can produce/offer.
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- The testimony to the popularity of Test cricket sustaining the onslaught of T20 leagues can be gauged by the near full attendance in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England. Undoubtedly, the quality of performances from some of the renowned cricketers has been fantastic, to say the least. Remember, before the start of the series, one of the modern-day greats, like Virat Kohli, announced retirement from Tests. Nonetheless, the first three Tests have showcased how much the format matters to cricketers per se. Ask any cricketer worth his salt, and he will invariably mention that performance in Test cricket is the only barometer that matters. Why? Since the format is the ultimate test to establish true greatness, not white ball cricket.
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- The quality of cricket on display in the ongoing Test series between India and England has been eye-catching. Note that Team England is known for showcasing an attacking brand of cricket under any circumstances. But Team India’s spirited counterattack has ensured the home team is not allowed to perform at its usual attacking best. The keen contest between the bat and the ball has been remarkable, satiating the cravings of cricket lovers. Ongoing Test matches between Australia and the West Indies have produced results with the ball dominating the bat. These occurrences must be reassuring for the cricket administrators grappling to make Test matches viable. Red ball cricket is here to stay. It will only become more engaging and entertaining from here on.
