12BET India News: Former India coach hints the death of Test Cricket if the nation abandons it
As the world combats the coronavirus pandemic, several sporting events were halted and currently in the brink of financial loss. It includes the cash-rich cricket in India. Earlier this week, Australian legend and former India coach expressed his concern over the virus-hit sports, hinting the death of the pinnacle of cricket, Test Cricket, if India abandons it.
“Test cricket will die the day India gives it up. I cannot see countries other than India, Australia and England investing in young cricketers to take up Test cricket,” Greg Chappell said during a chat session. “I have nothing against T20 cricket. It is easier to sell to the public. For Tests, the monetary issue is going to be massive.” Chappell is known for his controversial rein as India head coach.
Cricket in India is widely affected by the health crisis with several tournaments, including the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), due to begin on March 29 and pushed back to April 15, were suspended indefinitely. At the time of writing, India has recorded more than 78,000 cases from the virus that killed over 2,500 in the country that is currently on lockdown.
“But at the same time, Indian captain Virat Kohli calls Test matches the ultimate cricket, so there is hope that it will survive,” he added. In the same session, Chappell also revealed that prior to getting the role with India, he had had coaching offers from Sri Lanka and West Indies but since the only team that he wanted apart from Australia, was India, he later rejected those offers.
“It’s still a period that me and my wife look back with great fondness. It was a wonderful opportunity for me as a coach. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching more than I thought I would. There’s nothing that can replace playing the game but coaching came closer,” he said. Greg Chappell resigned from his role after India’s shocking group-stage exit from the 2007 50-over World Cup.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that no professional cricket will be played in England and Wales until July 1 at the earliest. The T20 World Cup is slated to be held in Australia from October 18 to November 15 but the fate of the tournament remains uncertain in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, the ICC had hosted a Chief Executive’s Committee meeting. In that meeting ICC said that “three options have been shortlisted”. The first is to stick to the original Oct-Nov window and the second is to the tournament in Feb-March next year. The third that was zeroed in on is to stage the tournament in 2022,” one of the representatives, who were part of the meeting, told the press.
The World Test Championship and the inaugural ODI League were the two of the major issues tackled during the said meeting but organizing the T20 World Cup is the first major task at hand for the ICC and Cricket Australia. Twelve full ICC members and three associate members in attendance was given as many as eight option about the T20 World Cup.
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