GUWAHATI, July 26 - In order to popularise Test cricket the ICC has to take a positive approach with some new ideas and BCCI has to allot Test matches to small cities, opined noted sports journalist Lokendra Pratap Sahi.
Speaking regarding Indian cricket in the 4th Pulin Das Memorial Lecture here today, Sahi said that as Test matches are true format of the game, it has to be made interesting so that people throng into the stadiums to enjoy the longest format of the game. He suggested that at least 10 day/night matches in every Test playing nation in a year should be organised. �By organising more day/night Tests and curtailing to four days instead of five days, this format can be made more interesting,� Sahi said.
He however opined that although the shorter formats of the game is hampering the youngsters in developing patience, the T20 format is helping the players in building fitness and improving their fielding. Terming the T20 version as money making event, the senior sports journalist said that people now prefer T20s than Test or ODI matches.
On cricket in the Northeast, Sahi said that infrastructure must be developed. Without having standard infrastructure and quality coaches not only cricket but no game could be developed. Terming Rahul Dravid as the best coach for the India U-19 team, he said, people like him can help youngsters in developing their skills. He also urged the parents to guide their wards in such a way that they can learn the basics for the longer version of the game.
Regarding Indian captains, according to Sahi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was the most aggressive captain who had total domination over the players. But since Kapil Dev�s era captaincy became more critical as three versions of the game were introduced gradually. Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni had handled their respective teams with their own styles and were all great. But after Ganguly, Virat Kohli is the other captain who likes to dominate the game with aggressive style. He also praised Riyan Parag for his fine show in the last IPL.
GUWAHATI, July 26 - In order to popularise Test cricket the ICC has to take a positive approach with some new ideas and BCCI has to allot Test matches to small cities, opined noted sports journalist Lokendra Pratap Sahi.
Speaking regarding Indian cricket in the 4th Pulin Das Memorial Lecture here today, Sahi said that as Test matches are true format of the game, it has to be made interesting so that people throng into the stadiums to enjoy the longest format of the game. He suggested that at least 10 day/night matches in every Test playing nation in a year should be organised. �By organising more day/night Tests and curtailing to four days instead of five days, this format can be made more interesting,� Sahi said.
He however opined that although the shorter formats of the game is hampering the youngsters in developing patience, the T20 format is helping the players in building fitness and improving their fielding. Terming the T20 version as money making event, the senior sports journalist said that people now prefer T20s than Test or ODI matches.
On cricket in the Northeast, Sahi said that infrastructure must be developed. Without having standard infrastructure and quality coaches not only cricket but no game could be developed. Terming Rahul Dravid as the best coach for the India U-19 team, he said, people like him can help youngsters in developing their skills. He also urged the parents to guide their wards in such a way that they can learn the basics for the longer version of the game.
Regarding Indian captains, according to Sahi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was the most aggressive captain who had total domination over the players. But since Kapil Dev�s era captaincy became more critical as three versions of the game were introduced gradually. Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni had handled their respective teams with their own styles and were all great. But after Ganguly, Virat Kohli is the other captain who likes to dominate the game with aggressive style. He also praised Riyan Parag for his fine show in the last IPL.
