Former India batter turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra questioned the West Indies’ contribution to Test cricket after their poor show on Day 1 of the first Test against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 2. They were bundled out for a mere 162 after opting to bat first, lasting just two sessions as well.
“If you see the top six batters of this West Indies team, everyone’s average is in the 20s. Chanderpaul has an average of barely over 30, just 31.11. So, just one batter has an average of over 30, and even that is not like 35 or something, and the rest are like 25-odd. If you are a member of the team with this average, that too after playing a significant amount of Test cricket, then it is clear that there is no prowess. They are playing Test cricket, but are they good enough for Tests?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“In my opinion, it is sub-standard batting. If their numbers don’t improve, then one question that will be asked for sure is – Are the West Indies really adding to Test cricket? I might be a bit harsh, but if you are asking someone to take their time out and watch the game for five days, it has to be justified, right? The West Indies team’s decline is palpable,” he further added.
“Now, should there be a tier system in Test cricket? This series acts as fuel to the fire in this conversation. The point of WTC was to bring excitement in the longest format, with teams battling it out for points, it feels nice to hear it. There is importance because teams want points, but where will you bring the contest from? You have not lost a single Test to them in the last 20-22 years, so what contest?” Chopra again said.
While Aakash Chopra noted the occurrence of upsets, he said the frequency of them compared to the one-sided matches that are harming the format as well.
“The West Indies is not a team that is pushing. Once in a while, it so happens that they win in Multan or Gabba, but those are just one-offs, the world is not going to change because of it. So, in my opinion, there should be a tier system, make two tiers of six teams each, with promotion and relegation,” Chopra said.
“There should not be injustice to the fans. Think about them as well. It is already difficult to follow Test cricket, and if there are one-sided matches on top of that, then where is the fun? Why will people follow? I won’t hold you accountable if you don’t follow this match, the match is going on in Ahmedabad, and no one has come to watch it. It was a holiday, so fill the stadium, but there was absolutely no one. It was empty, it was an eyesore. Ahmedabad should not host Tests, go to smaller venues,” the former batter elaborated,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
