Test's test of character

A recent survey by International Cricketers’ Association said that only 49% of cricketers said Test was a primary form of the game, a dip of 33% from the 2019 survey. How concerning is the trend, finds out Madhu Jawali

Bengaluru: The cricketing world finds itself at an intriguing crossroads. The International Cricketers’ Association, in its latest survey titled “Protecting History, Embracing Change: A Unified, Coherent Global Future”, has flagged a concerning trend -- a sharp dip in the number of cricketers prioritising Test cricket. Out of 328 players surveyed, most of whom are active internationals, only 49% identified Test cricket as the primary format of the game. 

While that might still seem like a respectable figure, it becomes alarming when viewed alongside the results from a similar survey conducted in 2019. Back then, a resounding 82% of players considered red-ball cricket to be the heart and soul of the sport. That’s a staggering 33% drop in just six years, an ominous sign for the oldest and, many would argue, purest form of the game.

One factor worth noting, however, is the possible limitation of the survey itself. It’s highly likely that Indian cricketers were not part of the respondent pool, given the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not officially recognise independent player bodies. Had Indian players been surveyed, the number might have risen, but realistically, perhaps not by much. The divide becomes even starker when one considers that the drop in Test cricket’s popularity seems to be largely happening in countries struggling financially -- nations like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the West Indies. Even Pakistan, though historically a proud Test-playing nation, appears to be teetering dangerously close to this category given the current direction of its cricket board and domestic game.

Despite the concerns highlighted by the survey, some within the cricket fraternity remain relatively unfazed. Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath, while acknowledging the status of Tests as the pinnacle format, isn’t overly worried by the findings.   

“For anyone to pick up any form of the game, it’s their own choice,” he told DHoS. “I mean the advent of T20 cricket may have led to this... Had it been there probably 25 years ago or 30 years ago, it would have been the same. People would have chosen what they actually wanted. People have various strengths... I mean, I would have picked up a power game (T20). But it is up to the players to pick up. It is just choosing what sport you want to play.

“It is hard for me to believe that (survey). If somebody like Virat Kohli plays all three formats of the game and he is good at it... Rohit Sharma plays all three formats of the game. So where is the dip? I mean, they play all three formats of the game. It depends upon who you speak to. I am not sure how the survey was done, it will differ case by case.”   

Notwithstanding the unmistakable influence of the Indian Premier League on young Indian cricketers, red-ball cricket still maintains that exalted position among the three formats. A lot of credit, as Srinath points out, should go to the likes of modern-day cricketing superstars like Virat Kohlis, Rohit Sharmas or Jasprit Bumrahs, whose exploits in white-ball form are apparent but who take greater pride in their accomplishments in red-ball format. In England and Australia, the Ashes comes before every other cricketing prize even though clashes against India have assumed greater significance in both these nations.

But elsewhere, the situation is grim. In nations like New Zealand and South Africa -- both proud Test nations -- the format barely stays afloat. It was particularly telling earlier in 2024 when South Africa, a current World Test Championship (WTC) finalist alongside Australia, did not even send its first-choice squad to New Zealand for a crucial two-Test series, choosing instead to prioritise its domestic T20 league, SA20.

“It’s really concerning,” admitted a former India batter who didn’t wish to be named. “The preference of the majority of young cricketers these days is T20s, Tests and then ODIs. And the problem is only going to get bigger. It’s less effort and a high-reward approach. It would be quite a challenge to deal with this going forward.”    

Test cricket today faces a unique problem. While series involving the ‘Big Three’ (India, Australia, and England) continue to draw huge crowds and remain commercially profitable, matches between “smaller” nations barely register on the global radar. Encounters like Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, West Indies vs Zimbabwe, or even Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, struggle in terms of viewership and hence financially as well. The only way for these series to turn a profit is often by involving the Indian team, but geopolitics and tight schedules mean India’s Test calendar mostly comprises fixtures against other top-tier sides. White-ball cricket tours to smaller nations are organised primarily for financial reasons, to help those cricket boards survive.

Ironically, despite this balancing act -- for which it is under no real obligation -- the BCCI often finds itself criticised by other boards for its perceived dominance over world cricket. That debate is for another time, but for now, let’s stick to the issue of sustenance of Test cricket.

The introduction of WTC has provided the much-needed context to the format though some prominent cricketing voices, like Michael Holding, have advocated a two-tier system with a promotion and demotion system.

But one wonders if this truly changes anything. Wouldn’t it merely perpetuate the existing reality, where top-tier nations play lucrative, high-profile series, while the rest fade away further?

While this survey may have its limitations and biases, it highlights one bitter truth: in a world obsessed with instant gratification, the slow-burn drama of Test cricket is gradually becoming a niche pursuit.