A test series for the ages, and the 5-day game has received a fresh lease of life!
The final few lines from the Hindi Comm Box are still ringing in my ears as the dust settles down on this test series, which was a spectacle for the game – now attempting to revamp the purest form – #TestCricket
While the debate on economics vs gamesmanship will continue, there’s hope from a generation invested in the 5-day game, who want to pass on the viewership to a generation hooked on their mobiles and served an overdose of T20 cricket!
What happened last evening is a prime example of the ebbs and flows of a game with a heavy colonial past that was adopted by the Indian subcontinent because an even contest between bat and ball is what each one of us enjoys.
Credit to the Indian team for showing the fighting spirit they have come to be known for, and kudos to England for winning the key moments in tough situations, especially in Tests 1 and 3, which I thought were India’s games to win!
It could have been easily #AdvantageIndia with a 3-1 series headline, but pure cricket fans will wait for another shot at the English cherry!
What happens to Test Cricket after this?
We have an Ashes Tour coming up, which should be evenly contested; however, I am afraid the other countries playing will gravitate towards the shorter format for pure economic reasons. Simply because #TestCricketGames are an expensive proposition, and only rich cricket boards can afford hosting them!
Will we see another scintillating series like #IndVsEng soon? Maybe! I pray we don’t let this momentum become inertia again!
Special notes to Sky Sports Online, ESPN STAR Sports and Cricbuzz.com for bringing the closer through their round-the-week coverage, and hosting the game with broadcasters par excellence.
Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton, Mark Butcher, Dinesh Karthik, Sunny Ji, Ravi Shastri Ji, Pujji Bhai, and a host of other cricketers-turned-experts, along with the Voice of Cricket, Harsha Bhogle, did an excellent job in the commentary box, podcasts, and open-air sessions!
Hello Test Cricket, it’s good to see you bring joy to generations of cricket fans. Game On, people!
