 "'Test cricket like classical music, T20s like rock music': AB de Villiers on Tests vs T20s debate")
The rise of T20 leagues across the world like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL) have led to debates over T20 vs Test cricket in recent years. With more and more T20 leagues coming up, the space for Test cricket in the cricketing calendar is arguably limited, but former South Africa batter AB de Villiers feels that much like the various genres of music, all formats of cricket must find a way to exist. De Villiers, who finished his Test career with 8765 runs from 114 matches, said that it is the responsibility of the cricket boards to motivate the youngsters and ensure that they continue playing Test cricket.
One instance of players choosing to plat T20 leagues over Test cricket was when several South Africa regulars opted playing the SA20 over a Test series against New Zealand.
“Cricket is like music and Test cricket is like classic music and T20 like rock music. There should be room for all genres to exist,” AB de Villiers said during a panel discussion with Brett Lee, Aakash Chopra and Anjum Chopra at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi.
“It comes from the administrators, the boards, they really need to take these decisions out of their hands, or at least make it easier for them by saying, ‘you know what, it can still be entertaining, it can be good for you’,” added de Villiers.
Aakash Chopra feels that the Big Three boards of India, Australia and England must keep investing in Test cricket. “BCCI are doing their bit. They have added Rs 45 lakh per game, in addition to the Rs 15 lakh that you get, which is almost $80,000 for a game of cricket, which is phenomenal. India will continue to do its bit, Australia is very keen to play Test cricket. South Africa is facing their own set of challenges, and we don’t mean to look down at anyone, because all of us are very different. We have our own challenges,” said Aakash.
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More Shorts“But I do feel, when you talk about Test cricket, we take Test cricket equally seriously, and that’s how we did for the last five weeks, when England were here. It will thrive only if the three big boys at this point in time, India, England and Australia keep investing in it. T20 money should start funding Test cricket. At some stage it will happen,” added the 46-year-old.
Former India women’s cricketer Anjum Chopra was confident that India’s recent Test wins over Australia and England only sees an uptick in women’s Test, but reiterated Aakash’s point by adding that the boards must invest in all formats.
“For women cricketers, it’s a welcoming sign if they can continue playing Test cricket. The good part is India beat Australia and England at home. So, the fillip of hosting more Test matches have come up,” said Anjum.
“We will be hosting South Africa in a couple of months, just after the IPL. That’s important, but I do feel that Test cricket cannot die. Cricket boards need to do their bit, it is all about investing in different formats,” added the batter with 548 runs from 12 Tests.
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