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Sri Lankan cricket legend Aravinda de Silva still believes that the future of Test cricket is bright despite the growing popularity of T20 cricket. The World Cup-winning former captain says the longest format of the game will be able to attract attention if cricket’s biggest rivalries are recreated in an attractive manner.
Amid political differences, India vs Pakistan remains one of the most famous rivalries in the cricket world. In recent times, whenever these two countries faced each other in tournaments, even in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup, it attracted a lot of attention.
Proposal to host India vs Pakistan test match
Due to geopolitical tensions, the India vs Pakistan match was held at a neutral venue, but no bilateral series has taken place. Aravinda de Silva says India vs Pakistan Test match, even at a neutral venue, will be a blockbuster event.
The India vs Pakistan match was last played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in December 2007. Since then, they have met only in white-ball games, primarily T20Is. The last India vs Pakistan ODI series was hosted in 2013.
“If India and Pakistan play a Test series today (even at a neutral venue), there will be a lot of interest. It’s how you make that fight,” de Silva told Sportstar.
The 60-year-old, who played a match-defining unbeaten 107 against mighty Australia in the 1996 ODI World Cup final, The game has seen a lot of changes over the years, but he believes the basics of cricket remain the same despite the emerging landscape influenced by finance and technology.
It cannot be denied that franchise cricket and the Twenty20 format is playing a huge role in the improvement in financial and technological development.
Suggestions for Sri Lankan cricket from veterans
Silva emphasizes that Sri Lanka has been consistently producing world-class talent and had come close to winning their second World Cup title several times in the past, but somehow, they have not managed to take the final step right. The former cricketer suggests that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) grooms its talents to suit the needs of the modern era of modern-day cricket.
He said, “We have continued to do well since 1996. Unfortunately, we have not won the 50-over World Cup, even though we came close in 2007 and 2011. But in terms of talent, I still don’t see any problem. Players and administrators have to see how the game is changing and adjust to the requirements of modern times.”
Money has a great influence on modern cricket
Having given a better package to Test cricket, he also acknowledged that money is playing an important role in shaping modern cricket. National cricket boards that have rich financial support have better technology, facilities for players, scouting and all other departments that are directly involved in grooming talent from the grassroots level.
He further said in the same video, “Most countries that are economically strong are able to dominate sports.”
