IND vs BAN | Test cricket needed rejuvenation, feels Sourav Ganguly
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly believes that usage of pink ball will rejuvenate Test cricket, something that is needed the most. The ticket sales during the South Africa series were very low and Ganguly believes that pink-ball Tests will bring back interest in Test Cricket in cricket fans' minds.
Arguably India's one of the most successful captain Sourav Ganguly had revolutionized Indian cricket with his captaincy and had instilled the idea and confidence in the Indian team that they can go and win overseas. Similarly, he also created an impact as the Chairman of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) when he introduced pink-ball in local matches and promoted D/N Tests.
Thus, once he became the BCCI President, it was only a matter of time before India played their first-ever D/N Test and he believes that this will attract people to the best format of cricket and Test cricket will get the deserved attention it needs. His words already seem to be true as the tickets for the first three days of the pink-ball Test have already been sold out.
"That's the way forward. Test cricket needed a rejuvenation," Ganguly told TOI.
"It happens all around the world. Somewhere it had to start. India is the biggest country in terms of cricket. I think that rejuvenation was important," he further added.
Ganguly has praised skipper Virat Kohli many times in the past and believes that he is someone who attracts large crowds to see him play just the way Sachin Tendulkar used to do. Ganguly felt that bringing huge crowds back to the longest format was a challenge and thus the concept of D/N Tests was introduced to increase the interest of the people in Tests. With the first three days already being sold out, he is sure that it will be a momentous occasion and the Indian team will enjoy the atmosphere.
"He (Kohli) is a great player and he should be playing in front of the packed house. He will be happy to see it full house when he walks out to bat on day one. You will love the atmosphere at the Eden so come and watch," Ganguly asserted.
"You can't have greats of the Indian cricket play in front of empty stands. And here you will have a full house for the first three days," he concluded.
