Ever since the International Cricket Council (ICC) put forth the idea of four-day Test matches, a lot of people from the cricketing fraternity have expressed their opinions on the matter. While some have backed the world governing body’s plan, big names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting have all been in vehement opposition of it.
Gambhir even went to the extent of calling it “a ridiculous idea”. However, former Indian all-rounder, Irfan Pathan seems to be having a different perspective. He completely supported the idea of four-day Tests, saying that he has been advocating the idea for “a few years now” and it is the way forward.
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Pathan said, “I have been saying that for a few years now that four-day Tests should be there. I believe at least for a couple of years that’s it is the way to go forward. We play four-day cricket in Ranji Trophy, we get results. So why not Test matches? Obviously, nowadays results come regularly but if there are four-day Tests, every game will be result oriented…I totally, totally agree with four-day Test matches.”
On Sunday, echoing the sentiments of the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar had urged ICC to not tinker with Test cricket, instead told the governing body to focus on “providing quality playing surfaces”.
The legendary batsman said, “Spinners look forward to bowling with the scuffed ball, taking advantage on day five of the roughs created on the wicket. All that is a part of Test cricket. Is it fair to take that advantage away from the spinners? Test is the purest form of cricket. It should not be tinkered with. The ICC, in my view, should focus on providing quality playing surfaces. Let the ball do things – spin, seam, swing, and bounce. It will automatically liven-up the game. It will also throw up more results.”
India skipper Virat Kohli too took a firm stance against the proposal of converting Test matches into four-day affairs.
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Kohli said, “According to me, it should not be altered. Then you are purely only talking about getting numbers, entertainment and you know. I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests. I mean where do you end. So I don’t endorse that at all. I don’t think that is fair to the purest format of the game.”
