IPL mania: Can five-day cricket win the ultimate Test?

The six-hitting run-fest in India has taken the cricket world by storm. While it may generate revenue and increase the game's popularity, nothing can take away the charm and intensity of a five-day Test. This new graffiti may have street cred, but it's no oil painting.

by Dr. Akshay Nair on 15 May 2008

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IPL mania has certainly gripped the international cricketing community.

'Will young cricketers aspire to be bowlers after seeing how today's delivery men are thumped round the park?'

Bollywood stars, industrial magnates, millions of dollars coming in via sponsors and television rights, who doesn’t want a slice of the pie?

But, is this really the future of cricket? Let us consider the format of the game without the paraphernalia. Even though Twenty20 as a format of cricket by far exceeds Test cricket in terms of revenue generation, the chances that it might replace the five-day format are slim.

No matter how alluring and exciting the game might be, purists and followers of the game certainly have an appetite for the longer format. There is no doubt in my mind that Test cricket is the purest form of the game – the epic battles, the famous duels, the intensity and planning that are a part of Test cricket can never be replaced by the ‘wham-bam, thank you ma’am’ form.

Comments (3)

on May 16, 2008 on May 16, 2008

i like sachin tendulaker and good bating is sachin . i am fans sachin i like sachin

by Anura Wickramasinghe on May 17, 2008

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by Mark Mark on May 23, 2008

Yes, I do think the fast and furious 20/20 is here to stay. It is attracting people who previously saw cricket as boring and this is great. As for replacing Test Cricket, I don't think this will happen. THe danger though is how the ICC control the 20/20 game. With the 20/20 franchise cricket, it has to be given a time span and this time should be put aside for it. This period should not overlap test series cricket, so there would be no conflict. It would be tragic for player towards the end of their careers, having to choose the quickly available big money over what they would be paid playing for their country. OR youngters choosing 20/20 over an international career due to the large paydays. To keep the best playing test cricket, the 20/20 'season' should be clear and limited. In terms of players, I think it may speed up the batting pace of test cricket and allow bowlers to hone their skills under pressure.

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