In a recent statement, former England captain Eoin Morgan expressed his concerns about the challenging state of Test cricket, highlighting the loss of Virat Kohli as a Test captain. The World Test Championship final 2023, which saw Australia emerge victorious over India by 209 runs, marked the end of the second cycle of the championship, with the third cycle set to commence soon. The International Cricket Council (ICC) initiated the World Test Championship in 2019 to preserve the longest and oldest format of the game amid fears of its decline across the cricketing world.
Morgan misses Kohli as Test captain
Morgan emphasized the significance of Kohli’s departure from Test captaincy, considering him a true advocate for the format. He stated, “Test cricket for me is still unbelievable. But it is a really challenging time for it. It has lost Virat Kohli as a Test captain, and he always spoke vividly about how much he loved it and was passionate about it.”
Kohli, known for his unwavering support of Test cricket, ranked fourth in the list of most successful Test captains in history, with 40 wins from 58 matches and an impressive win percentage of 58.82. However, in January 2023, the 36-year-old stepped down from the captaincy following India’s 1-2 series loss against South Africa.
Ben Stokes has reignited people’s interest in Test Cricket
Morgan also credited England captain Ben Stokes for reigniting people’s interest in the format. Stokes, along with head coach Brendon McCullum, has revolutionized Test cricket with their dynamic ‘Bazball’ style of play, which emphasizes aggressive and attractive cricket. Under Stokes’ leadership, England has achieved remarkable success, winning 11 out of 13 matches since last year. Their approach has made draws irrelevant, as the team consistently pursues victory regardless of the game’s situation.
The former England skipper emphasized the need for more players like Stokes and Kohli, who possess the charisma and passion to keep Test cricket relevant and captivating. He acknowledged Stokes’ significant role in rejuvenating the format, stating, “Stokes is the same, and he has taken on a huge responsibility to the game to make it as attractive as possible.”
As Test cricket seeks to maintain its significance beyond being a contest between the top-ranked teams, the upcoming Ashes series between England and Australia, scheduled to commence on June 16, promises to add further excitement and intensity to the format.
With Test cricket at a crucial juncture, the hope is that the enthusiasm and commitment of players like Stokes and the legacy left by passionate captains like Kohli will continue to shape the future of the game, ensuring its enduring appeal and captivating nature for fans worldwide.
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