Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad who had fun as a world cricketer from 1996 to 2001, has hit out on gamers selecting to prioritize cash-laden franchise cricket tournaments as a substitute of eager to characterize their respective nations within the longest format of the sport.
Take a look at cricket is definitely how the sport of cricket began and it’s thought-about as the center and soul of the sport. Nonetheless, within the trendy period, Take a look at cricket’s significance has diminished and with the intention to maintain it away from extinction, the ICC a few years in the past determined to prepare World Take a look at Championships to draw viewers in an thrilling format the place all Take a look at-playing nations tussle for two years to play within the finale.
And the Tweet from Venkatesh Prasad was a response to a fan asking him about his opinion on South Africa selecting to ship a third string crew for a 2-match Take a look at sequence towards New Zealand as many of the senior gamers will likely be busy collaborating of their home franchise league, the SA20 league.
Historically, Take a look at cricket was thought-about the head of the sport, the place gamers showcased their expertise and endurance over 5 days. Nonetheless, within the trendy period, the attract of massive cash and profitable contracts in T20 leagues has reshaped gamers’ priorities, resulting in a noticeable shift away from Take a look at cricket.
One of many key components contributing to this transformation is the monetary windfall related to franchise T20 tournaments. Gamers are enticed by substantial contracts provided by varied leagues around the globe, such because the Indian Premier League (IPL), Huge Bash League (BBL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
These tournaments promise vital monetary rewards in a comparatively quick span, engaging cricketers to prioritize franchise commitments over representing their nation in Take a look at matches.
The statistics paint a transparent image of this paradigm shift. Excessive-profile gamers, as soon as synonymous with Take a look at cricket, are actually allocating a substantial portion of their taking part in time to T20 leagues. The IPL, as an illustration, has witnessed astronomical sums being spent on participant auctions, with marquee names fetching staggering quantities.
This shift in focus has led to issues concerning the diminishing significance of Take a look at cricket as star gamers decide for the immediate gratification supplied by T20 tournaments, one thing that not simply Venkatesh Prasad worries about however a handful of former cricketers have additionally expressed their worries on the identical.
Viewers preferences additionally play a pivotal function within the ascendancy of franchise T20 cricket. The fast-paced nature of T20 matches, with outcomes usually decided inside just a few hours, caters to the fashionable viewer’s urge for food for pleasure and immediate gratification. Take a look at matches, characterised by their longer period and strategic nuances, battle to maintain tempo with the frenetic power of T20 cricket.
Venkatesh Prasad Hopes Franchise Cricket Doesn’t Change into The Manner Ahead
Earlier right now on X (previously Twitter), a fan had raised a query concerning the South African cricket board sending a mere and inexperienced third string crew for his or her upcoming tour to New Zealand in February for a 2-match Take a look at sequence, the fan additionally requested if Assessments have grow to be a luxurious or not.
In response, Venkatesh Prasad described the state of modern-day cricket and expressed his anger in addition to grief on franchise cricket changing into extra essential than Assessments.
“Units a really unhealthy precedent. Unhappy that it has reached this state the place Franchise cricket has surpassed Take a look at cricket in Precedence, Hope this doesn’t grow to be the way in which ahead,” Venkatesh Prasad stated.
Units a really unhealthy precedent. Unhappy that it has reached this state the place Franchise cricket has surpassed Take a look at cricket in precedence . Hope this doesn’t grow to be the way in which ahead. https://t.co/6iy1ctQeBf
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 31, 2023
Venkatesh Prasad retired from worldwide cricket after selecting up 96 Take a look at wickets in 33 matches and 196 wickets in 131 ODI matches.
