Team India captain Virat Kohli has opposed the idea of the proposed four-day Test matches, advocating that the current five-day format is the purest form of the game and should be retained.
“Four-day Tests? Look I’m not a fan of it,” Kohli said on Saturday.
“T20 was a revelation in introducing a new format. I was not in favour of it. I was asked about the hundred ball and I said I’m not going to try myself out in another format because there’s already so much going on and with Test cricket I don’t think it’s necessary. The Day-Night Test is the most that should be changed about Test cricket according to me.
“I mean then you’re purely only talking about getting numbers in and entertainment, and, I think the intent will not be right then, because then you speak of three-day and then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. So I don’t endorse that at all.
“I don’t think that is fair to the purest format of the game, how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. So according to me, it should not be altered. As I said, Day-Night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and creating excitement around it, but it can’t be tinkered with too much,” Kohli said.
The Indians take on Sri Lanka in the first of the three T20Is at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium at Barsapara on Sunday.
Kohli hoped it will be a high-scoring affair. “I believe it’s going to be a high scoring pitch. Last time we played the West Indies here and it was a really good pitch to bat on. We expect the pitch to play really well and it’s going to be a challenge for the bowlers again.
“It will be an opportunity to see which bowler reacts well under pressure, that’s primarily our focus. We’ll see how they step up. So if it’s a batting-friendly pitch, you know, bowlers will be tested, if it’s a bowler-friendly pitch, you’re under pressure as the batsmen will be tested. But I think this pitch… is going to be high scoring,” he said.
The toss will invariably play a vital role in view of the dew factor. That means the bowlers will face a real test in the second innings.
While India will have Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah back in the side, the visitors have brought in seasoned campaigner Angelo Mathews. Kohli was confident of KL Rahul and Dhawan combining well at the top of the order in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who has been rested.
“Look, these things happen in cricket. You know, someone gets injured and the guy comes in and grabs his opportunities and starts playing really well. So, I think, it all boils down to who’s batting? Shikhar has been unfortunate in terms of injuries, and he’s been an experienced hand.
“But, that’s the dynamic of how teams work. You know, there are 15 guys in the squad and not everyone is going to be able to play because of various reasons all the time. So, everyone understands that... What’s important is for individuals to be focusing and working hard on their game because things can turn around at any stage for anyone,” the captain said.
“T20 is something we don’t have any problems in picking players,” Kohli said. “Because you have the IPL. At a very competitive level, the guys have been performing season after season.
“And all the players you see are probably the most important Indian players in their team in the IPL. So, from that point of view, it’s about figuring out which player can fit in at what time and what’s the strongest combination you can take to the World Cup.”
Talking about the team’s focus, Kohli said: “We need guys who are ready till No.6 and 7 to win you games. It can’t be dependent on two guys or three guys in the batting line-up. You know, that’s not how you win ICC tournaments,” said Kohli. “So that’s our main focus to reveal situations to guys and expect them to come into their own and become those fearless match winners.”
- Match starts: 7pm.
