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Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has expressed his thoughts on the contentious issue of limiting Test cricket to just five designated centers in India. This discussion has gained traction amid ongoing challenges faced by the Test match in Kanpur, which has seen poor attendance and stalled play, prompting concerns about the future of the longest format in the country.
Karthik highlighted that reducing Test venues to major metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru may not necessarily result in increased interest or attendance. Instead, he pointed out that smaller cities often see greater crowds for red-ball matches. “When you nominate five centres in a place like India in Tier 1 cities, it is a fact that there has been a dwindling amount of interest in the Test format. People are not watching Test cricket,” he stated during an interview on Cricbuzz.
The Case for Smaller Centers
Drawing attention to Kanpur’s recent Test match, Karthik noted the substantial turnout despite it not being a Tier 1 city. “Kanpur is a great example. It is not a metropolitan city, yet you can see people coming up in big numbers. It’s not a town that has hosted too many matches, and the interest is evident,” he remarked. This observation reflects a broader trend where smaller cities demonstrate a vibrant enthusiasm for cricket, potentially offering a solution to the challenges faced by Test cricket’s popularity.
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Rotational Venue System
Karthik also elaborated on the current rotational policy for hosting Test matches in India. He explained that there are around 34-36 state associations in the country, and matches are rotated among these venues to ensure every association gets an opportunity to host games. “It has been a process that has been going around for a long time, and hence they have stuck to it,” he added, underscoring the complexities involved in assigning matches to various venues.
The ongoing Test match in Kanpur has faced significant challenges, with only one session being played over three days due to poor drainage and wet patches on the outfield. This has further fueled the debate about the effectiveness of designated Test centers.
As the Indian cricketing landscape evolves, Karthik’s insights could spark discussions on how to revitalize interest in Test cricket. The potential to engage fans in smaller centers may offer a pathway to enhance attendance and appreciation for the format, ensuring that the rich tradition of Test cricket in India continues to thrive.
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