Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the future of Test cricket depends on making first-class cricket attractive enough for young players to pursue. Speaking at the Cricinfo Honours Awards 2026, Ashwin stressed that the challenge of preserving red-ball cricket is not unique to India but a global concern affecting the sport’s long-term sustainability. Ashwin’s comments come at a time when Indian Test cricket is undergoing a significant transition.

Over the last two years, India have endured disappointing results in the longest format, including home series whitewashes against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa in 2025. The defeat to New Zealand was particularly painful, ending India’s remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak in home Test series. The team is also adjusting to life after several modern-day greats stepped away from the format. The retirements of Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have left India rebuilding under the leadership of Shubman Gill.

Addressing the challenges facing Test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the importance of creating stronger incentives for players to commit to the traditional format. “First-class cricket needs to be attractive enough for players to take up. The BCCI has made an attempt by revamping the salary structure, but I don’t think Test cricket is just India’s problem, it is a global one. Are players being incentivised enough to take up the red-ball game?” Ashwin said.

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The former all-rounder also pointed to the demanding nature of Test cricket, both physically and mentally. He explained that the workload, constant travel, and recovery requirements make it increasingly difficult for players to choose the format when lucrative alternatives are readily available.

“That is a tough proposition when players can play for a couple of months and pretty much earn a good living,” Ravichandran Ashwin noted. Despite the challenges, Ashwin believes there is no substitute for the satisfaction that comes from succeeding in Test cricket. “Nothing compares to the feeling at the end of a hard-fought Test match. Nothing can replace it. If you are serious about Test cricket, young cricketers should be groomed by slightly old-fashioned coaches,” he added.

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Ashwin retired as one of India’s greatest Test cricketers, finishing with 537 wickets and 3,503 runs in 106 Tests. His legacy remains a benchmark for future generations, while his latest remarks have reignited the conversation around safeguarding the future of red-ball cricket.