With lockdown once again imposed in Chandigarh, let us start our test column with its on-going survival from the recent past one decade. But why I am saying the recent one decade is because I have witnessed the sharp change in the form of test cricket it is played these days among quality test playing nations or even the associate nations expect some surreal performances by the teams. Let me just show why I am saying test cricket has lost its values completely.
Here is one of the most epic rivalry between the bat and bowl among the most complete cricketers of all-time in the history of cricket
Here is another test match which I have watched it many a times on the loop
Believe it or not, cricket will not be going to witness such characters and games ever again with this brand of cricket. It’s hard to find such aura and intensity of either batsman or bowler in modern day cricket. Bowlers are especially at the receiving end from the batsman in every aspect as the current era of cricket favours the batsman. With more T20l leagues in cricket nowadays, the priority is given to T20l Cricket instead over domestic cricket where the initial skills of a cricketer are developed to go on to represent the country. Test Cricket is not about going for maximum from the first ball it needs the technique and temperament from the batsman to adjust the tactics implemented by the opposition teams and captains.
With more marketing and branding of T20l Cricket, it is hard to find the test players in the circuit these days who look similar to players of the 90s era like Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara and Brian Lara. These are not players they are the definition of test cricket how it is to be played with surreal passion and hearts towards the game.
What I believe these days is that sponsors are looking to generate more revenue from the game of cricket. Sponsors are looking for the big names in the teams or some recent heated argument between players to attract the audience to follow the game for more drama. But it’s not cricket anymore, it is a corporate business and with no crowd in the stadiums before lockdown is the valid evidence why people prefer to watch 3-hour entertainment over boring 5-day test matches.
