LONDON: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has called for reducing the number of Test playing teams to six or seven with a promotion-relegation system to maintain the interest and quality of the traditional format, which is similar to the T20 league. Has been affected due to rise. Financial incentives.
Speaking at World Cricket Connects, an event organized by the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's, Shastri stressed the need for a significant change in the structure of Test cricket to maintain its relevance and appeal.
"When you don't have quality, ratings drop, there are less people in the crowd, it's meaningless cricket, which is the last thing the game wants," Shastri said.
“You have 12 Test match teams. Cut it down to six or seven and have a promotion and relegation system.
"You can have two tiers, but keep the top six playing to maintain interest in Test cricket. You can also expand the game to other formats like T20."
The influx of a large number of domestic franchise T20 leagues has also forced players to choose them over Tests, primarily due to their huge financial payouts.
Echoing Shastri's sentiments, MCC president Mark Nicholls said Test cricket is a league of its own, but the game needs money to sustain itself in the long run.
"T20 cricket is the megastar that everyone wants. This is where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is," he said.
Nicholls commented, "Money is seen as a dirty word in cricket, but it shouldn't be because it is the only way to sustain the game."
Speaking at World Cricket Connects, an event organized by the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's, Shastri stressed the need for a significant change in the structure of Test cricket to maintain its relevance and appeal.
"When you don't have quality, ratings drop, there are less people in the crowd, it's meaningless cricket, which is the last thing the game wants," Shastri said.
“You have 12 Test match teams. Cut it down to six or seven and have a promotion and relegation system.
"You can have two tiers, but keep the top six playing to maintain interest in Test cricket. You can also expand the game to other formats like T20."
The influx of a large number of domestic franchise T20 leagues has also forced players to choose them over Tests, primarily due to their huge financial payouts.
Echoing Shastri's sentiments, MCC president Mark Nicholls said Test cricket is a league of its own, but the game needs money to sustain itself in the long run.
"T20 cricket is the megastar that everyone wants. This is where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is," he said.
Nicholls commented, "Money is seen as a dirty word in cricket, but it shouldn't be because it is the only way to sustain the game."