Interest in Test cricket is very high now and the 2 Test series vs the WI and SA can be converted to 3 Test series

[express bowling]

Everywhere I am going, people are talking about the just concluded Test series vs England. Different WhatsApp groups I am in are discussing cricket, even people who are not cricket fans.

 

It seems like people are yearning for more test cricket. Give them what they want.

 

South Africa is anyway a strong team and the reigning WTC Champion. We deserve a longer test series vs them and they do too. It can be a great series if atleast 3 tests are there.

 

Use the test series vs the Windies to develop new pacers. Prepare sporting pitches for this series. The WI have good pacers like Seales, Shamar and Alzarri who can make this series competitive if the pitches are sporting ones. 

 

The new pacers we get ready during the WI test series can serve us well when we tour SENA later and be backups / replacements for Bumrah and Siraj.

[deathmonger]

Yeah, India shouldn't be playing 2 match series at all.

[Stan AF]

https://videsaur.com/play/5053 

 

 

BCCI be like 

[LordPrabhzy]

why are people getting delusional after this series esp the OP?

 

Workloads are increasing esp for indian players with IPL, white ball bilaterals etc which arent needed. Our players cant survive a 5 test series just barely. Instead of having 5 tests in India with Aus and Eng which are half attended id rather have 3 solid tests with all days sold out- but thats a pipedream

 

I think 3 Test series with SENA is fine and WI SL Bang should be 2  test series ONLY

[Lone Wolf]

They can extend SA series for sure.  But don't think BCCI is interested they would rather play 3 T20s over an extra test.

 

India plays a lot fewer tests than many Test nations.

 

It's shocking that even NZ is playing 2 tests vs Zimbabwe outside of WTC.

Pakistan SL Eng do that as well but not greedy BCCI bastards.

 

[tapandrun]

9 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

They can extend SA series for sure.  But don't think BCCI is interested they would rather play 3 T20s over an extra test.

 

India plays a lot fewer tests than many Test nations.

 

It's shocking that even NZ is playing 2 tests vs Zimbabwe outside of WTC.

Pakistan SL Eng do that as well but not greedy BCCI bastards.

 

 

More to do with other boards are also willing to play more odis and now t20s with Ind even if Ind sends exp. side brings a lot of revenue to them and many players wait for their chances to showcase their talent so that they can be picked for IPL.

 

Tests does not bring  such revenue only Eng and Aus have been keeping test alive, Ind only picked interest in test after kolhi became the captain.

 

WI and SA boards would take a 5 match t20i series then 3 test match series think once NZ ceo or chairperson said he will take T20is over tests.

 

Edited August 7, 2025 by tapandrun

[ShoonyaSifar]

There will not be too many takers in the general public. The current euphoria driven by sections of social media, will die down soon. Look at newspapers, they have already moved on. A section of fans has moved to discussing Hundred despite no Indian players, primarily because IPL franchises own some teams. The die hard test cricket fans of course will always remain interested for more rests but that's a minority.

 

In any case, scheduling constraints will not allow any additional tests. 

We have a white ball series in Australia 6 days after 2nd WI test.

A full series with SA starts a week after the white ball series in Australia. Also, SA series end a few days before Christmas. Doubt SA team will want to be in India during Christmas, New year time.

 

You can't cut down white ball cricket because that's where the revenue is plus those are prep for 2026 T20 WC and the next ODI WC.

[Gollum]

10 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

They can extend SA series for sure.  But don't think BCCI is interested they would rather play 3 T20s over an extra test.

 

India plays a lot fewer tests than many Test nations.

 

It's shocking that even NZ is playing 2 tests vs Zimbabwe outside of WTC.

Pakistan SL Eng do that as well but not greedy BCCI bastards.

India should also schedule tests outside WTC, even with Zimbabwe/Afghanistan/Ireland where we can try out the Raj Bawas, Sai Kishores, Arshdeeps, Easwarans etc., build bench strength for the main team. 

 

2 tests vs reigning world champions is a disgrace. 

[Serpico]

I don't think they can change the schedule now but atleast they should improve the production quality of home tests. England and to lesser extent Australia set the bar very high for TV broadcast, our home tests quality will then disappoint everyone. Also make sure the pitches are somewhat flat so that matches don't end in two days 

[Lone Wolf]

1 hour ago, ShoonyaSifar said:

There will not be too many takers in the general public. The current euphoria driven by sections of social media, will die down soon. Look at newspapers, they have already moved on. A section of fans has moved to discussing Hundred despite no Indian players, primarily because IPL franchises own some teams. The die hard test cricket fans of course will always remain interested for more rests but that's a minority.

 

In any case, scheduling constraints will not allow any additional tests. 

We have a white ball series in Australia 6 days after 2nd WI test.

A full series with SA starts a week after the white ball series in Australia. Also, SA series end a few days before Christmas. Doubt SA team will want to be in India during Christmas, New year time.

 

You can't cut down white ball cricket because that's where the revenue is plus those are prep for 2026 T20 WC and the next ODI WC.

This is a needless 1 month break.  Pretty sure Ireland would have been happy to play an odd test against India.

Dublin would have had a packed house and they are a reasonable test team in their own conditions.

 

I don't understand monetary reasons for scheduling only 2 tests vs SA.

South African board was pretty happy to play 2 tests in Zimbabwe outside of WTC along with a T20 tri series.

 

It's a case of too much greediness as simple as that.

[LordPrabhzy]

1 hour ago, Lone Wolf said:

This is a needless 1 month break.  Pretty sure Ireland would have been happy to play an odd test against India.

Dublin would have had a packed house and they are a reasonable test team in their own conditions.

 

I don't understand monetary reasons for scheduling only 2 tests vs SA.

South African board was pretty happy to play 2 tests in Zimbabwe outside of WTC along with a T20 tri series.

 

It's a case of too much greediness as simple as that.

 

Not sure why BCCI doesnt arrange one off Tests with Zim, Ire and Afghanistan by sending India A players as India test team for those matches..theres no rule that doesnt allow a parallel test match happening while India is playing white ball cricket series? for example in October when India is away in Aus for white ball, call over those three countries and do 3 tests with India A and emerging players in the squad.

 

That way some people who want to physically watch cricket can do so and TV ratings wont get affected anyway 

 

@Gollum

[Gollum]

7 minutes ago, LordPrabhzy said:

 

Not sure why BCCI doesnt arrange one off Tests with Zim, Ire and Afghanistan by sending India A players as India test team for those matches..theres no rule that doesnt allow a parallel test match happening while India is playing white ball cricket series? for example in October when India is away in Aus for white ball, call over those three countries and do 3 tests with India A and emerging players in the squad.

 

That way some people who want to physically watch cricket can do so and TV ratings wont get affected anyway 

 

@Gollum

BCCI will do the bare minimum, they don't even have to work, India's huge fanbase will keep the cash counters running. 

 

These BCCI big dogs don't really care about the sport, Jay Shah, Rajiv Shukla, Shashank Manohar, Sharad Pawar, you think they in there for promotion/growth of cricket? 

[deathmonger]

15 minutes ago, LordPrabhzy said:

 

Not sure why BCCI doesnt arrange one off Tests with Zim, Ire and Afghanistan by sending India A players as India test team for those matches..theres no rule that doesnt allow a parallel test match happening while India is playing white ball cricket series? for example in October when India is away in Aus for white ball, call over those three countries and do 3 tests with India A and emerging players in the squad.

 

That way some people who want to physically watch cricket can do so and TV ratings wont get affected anyway 

 

@Gollum

At any given point of time there should be some Indian team playing in some format is my belief.

 

In fact do it in parallel lol.

 

Two team doing two tours so you get a match everyday.

[rollingstoned]

3 hours ago, ShoonyaSifar said:

There will not be too many takers in the general public. The current euphoria driven by sections of social media, will die down soon. Look at newspapers, they have already moved on. A section of fans has moved to discussing Hundred despite no Indian players, primarily because IPL franchises own some teams. The die hard test cricket fans of course will always remain interested for more rests but that's a minority.

 

In any case, scheduling constraints will not allow any additional tests. 

We have a white ball series in Australia 6 days after 2nd WI test.

A full series with SA starts a week after the white ball series in Australia. Also, SA series end a few days before Christmas. Doubt SA team will want to be in India during Christmas, New year time.

 

You can't cut down white ball cricket because that's where the revenue is plus those are prep for 2026 T20 WC and the next ODI WC.

A lot of the plebs who only tune in for white ball ICC tournaments have taken note of the results and followed this series very closely. LIke the OP even I was surprised. It's something they can take advtg of and schedule at least an extra test agaisnt Saf but then again perhaps saffers themselves prefer if it were a white ball series. 

 

[goose]

we have proof that test cricket CAN be MADE popular. it's not just a case of the public wanting T20 so thats what we must give them. the powers that be have chosen what to market. i would even say a 5 test series even involving lesser teams will go down very well. initially it might not but new taents emerge, human beings cannot tolerate being crushed for 6 weeks, you always get a reaction

[deathmonger]

1 hour ago, rollingstoned said:

A lot of the plebs who only tune in for white ball ICC tournaments have taken note of the results and followed this series very closely. LIke the OP even I was surprised. It's something they can take advtg of and schedule at least an extra test agaisnt Saf but then again perhaps saffers themselves prefer if it were a white ball series. 

 

Matches like Gabba 2021, Lords 2021 and Oval 2025 can really popularize tests.

[rollingstoned]

31 minutes ago, goose said:

we have proof that test cricket CAN be MADE popular. it's not just a case of the public wanting T20 so thats what we must give them. the powers that be have chosen what to market. i would even say a 5 test series even involving lesser teams will go down very well. initially it might not but new taents emerge, human beings cannot tolerate being crushed for 6 weeks, you always get a reaction

Problem is the format is such that it is the worst from a spectator pov if for any reason the 2 teams are mismatched as it doesn't allow the weaker team anywhere to hide, accounting for conditions. Long test series among evenly matched sides are among the most satisfying and rewarding things to witness across any sports. 

[goose]

31 minutes ago, rollingstoned said:

Problem is the format is such that it is the worst from a spectator pov if for any reason the 2 teams are mismatched as it doesn't allow the weaker team anywhere to hide, accounting for conditions. Long test series among evenly matched sides are among the most satisfying and rewarding things to witness across any sports. 

I hear you. my point is to generate interest and inspire new talent you have to go through that 5 test boredom. it will eventually pay off. 2-0 even 3-0 losses care quick and painless. 4-1 or 5-0 is a national shaming

[deathmonger]

5 hours ago, rollingstoned said:

Problem is the format is such that it is the worst from a spectator pov if for any reason the 2 teams are mismatched as it doesn't allow the weaker team anywhere to hide, accounting for conditions. Long test series among evenly matched sides are among the most satisfying and rewarding things to witness across any sports. 

The average T20 is better than the average test.

 

But a good test match/series is the pinnacle of the sport and not just cricket.

 

Kohli's MCG chase was 20 overs of tension. Not even a session of test cricket.

[Ultimate_Game]

You can't play 3-5 Test series, have a 2-3 month IPL which will get longer with addition of 2 more teams in a couple of years, multiple T20 leagues, ICC tourneys etc.

 

You'll end up with a watered down product with key players either injured or opting out. 4 Test match series (5 is too long IMO) should be held within the top 3 teams - Ind, Aus, Eng, 3 Test series some other key series and then others 2 Test series.

 

Making SA-WI a 3 Test series wouldn't help as there's not enough demand for it, and neither can they sustain holding a 3 Test series while incurring losses. Everyone moving to Tests because of one Test series is a pipe dream and laughable at best.