We must be thankful to T20 cricket, states Sunil Gavaskar
The greatest concern of ICC in recent times has been the ever depleting charm of Test cricket, the longest format of the game. Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar opined that the challenge is to pull the crowd to the stands while also stating that T20 has made the game more attractive.
The recently concluded Test series between India and South Africa has again brought forward a familiar question, is Test cricket relevant anymore. Well, the relatively empty stands throughout the series spoke volume about it. Former Indian skipper Sunny Gavaskar feels that the challenge is to get people to the stands.
"Major challenge is attracting crowds to the venues. They have got so used to the limited-overs version. The excitement and the big shot-making in these limited-overs formats is making them watch less of Test cricket," Gavaskar told Sportstar.
Gavaskar heaped praises on the T20 and credited it of making the game attractive when asked if the shortest format is hampering the longest format.
"No. I don’t think so. Thanks to T20, more people are watching the game now. We must be thankful to T20 actually. The connoisseur might argue that cricket standard is not the same, but as far I am concerned the game has become more attractive."
He also expressed his concern about the sorry state of domestic cricket, and also suggested a price cut in the tickets to pull the crowd.
"It does pain me. But what can we do? It’s the same with Test cricket, the longer version of the game which people don’t seem to have time for. Today, with everything being taken care of because of the TV rights, whether international cricket or domestic cricket, I think they should be able to make the entry very nominal. Should bring down the ticket prices. Give children below 15 free entry," he said.
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