LOI versus Test Cricket: Format Preference for Asian Nations

[kron]

As the title suggests, what would be your preference?

For all Asian nations, assume you can’t dominate both formats, as it’s generally quite impossible to do so.

Australia also struggles in T20s. They mostly dominate in ODIs and have recently excelled in Test cricket over the past two years. Yes, I am aware of their past glory in Test cricket, of course.

What would be your preference? Which formats would you prefer to dominate? You can pick up to two, as I feel that’s the absolute maximum any single nation can truly dominate in cricket overall.

Would you be okay with winning the T20 World Cup but struggling in the WTC while remaining competitive in ODIs? Or is ODI cricket the pinnacle for you? Or do you see Test cricket as the ultimate format?

Given that mercenaries are everywhere in cricket now, it’s really hard to motivate young players to pursue Test cricket when there is easy money to be made in the IPL.

From an Indian perspective, I prefer to dominate in Tests and T20s. I don’t care about ODIs.

What would you prefer as a Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Lankan, or, of course, my Indian brothers?

Which one or two formats would you be pleased to see your team excel in?

I, for one, cannot accept losses in Test cricket. For me, that’s the pinnacle. Even though we won the T20 World Cup, which I prefer over the ODI World Cup—since ODIs have been outdated for a while now—it doesn’t satisfy me. Winning away Test series and dominating at home in Tests means so much more.

For me, 2024 has been a failure as an Indian fan.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

ODI and T20. I enjoy test cricket but we must be realistic in that it's a dying format and the majority of players and fans in Pakistan prefer the shorter formats.

 

[BouncerGuy]

With too many leagues coming in, interest in red-ball format has decreased significantly.

 

[kron]

ODI and T20. I enjoy test cricket but we must be realistic in that it's a dying format and the majority of players and fans in Pakistan prefer the shorter formats.

Fair enough. Would you say you prefer odi WC win over a t20 WC win? Or does it give you equal joy?

Not sure if test is dying per se but definitely very niche but man nothing is more exciting than watching fast bowlers steaming in and bowling pace and bounce on a seaming track with a red cherry. I do like the ultra cobra spin too for the fun that unfolds.

 

[kron]

With too many leagues coming in, interest in red-ball format has decreased significantly.

Money unfortunately is much higher in t20
It’s a huge concern. How can you go up to a young guy and tell him to focus on tests when he can make almost triple the income in a shorter format like t20 whilst being able to preserve his body for much longer with fewer injuries in the process.

Very hard. He has to naturally find the passion to represent his nation in the ultimate format which is test and that unfortunately means the player must be in the sport for glory and not just money.

Bear in mind a great test player can make a substantial amount of revenue via ads, sponsorships, endorsements but that requires a significantly higher amount of time, sacrifice and the mental fortitude to cope with long term injuries that could even be career ending.

Overall legacy is built via test cricket and yes truly elite players can earn more as they are gifted with monster contracts in t20 based on their test exploits. However, it takes much longer to get there via red ball. Faster easier cash in t20 and short format alone is still very lucrative
.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Money unfortunately is much higher in t20
It’s a huge concern. How can you go up to a young guy and tell him to focus on tests when he can make almost triple the income in a shorter format like t20 whilst being able to preserve his body for much longer with fewer injuries in the process.

Very hard. He has to naturally find the passion to represent his nation in the ultimate format which is test and that unfortunately means the player must be in the sport for glory and not just money.

Bear in mind a great test player can make a substantial amount of revenue via ads, sponsorships, endorsements but that requires a significantly higher amount of time, sacrifice and the mental fortitude to cope with long term injuries that could even be career ending.

Overall legacy is built via test cricket and yes truly elite players can earn more as they are gifted with monster contracts in t20 based on their test exploits. However, it takes much longer to get there via red ball. Faster easier cash in t20 and short format alone is still very lucrative
.

Obviously, money is the main factor here. Who would want to bowl 10-12 overs in a session when you can bowl just 4 overs and get more money and you can play more games as well...

Leagues are red-ball format killer

 

[kron]

Obviously, money is the main factor here. Who would want to bowl 10-12 overs in a session when you can bowl just 4 overs and get more money and you can play more games as well...

Leagues are red-ball format killer

Sad truth. Only Australia and England pay big contracts for test cricket where test players get 1 mil a year on average.

Even Indian players don’t earn that much in tests. It’s mostly due to add revenue endorsements wheee there get real rich. The notoriety that comes with test cricket brings more money. But then again that’s in addition to their t20 pay which is insanely high.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

ODI World Cups hold a high level of importance for me. But Test cricket is the pinnacle of this sport.

 

[kron]

ODI World Cups hold a high level of importance for me. But Test cricket is the pinnacle of this sport.

Without doubt yes.

I think this wtc concept of one final is rubbish but yes test is the ultimate format.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Without doubt yes.

I think this wtc concept of one final is rubbish but yes test is the ultimate format.

WTC won't make sense until everyone plays equal matches. And if everyone doesn't play everyone, then atleast they should be divided into groups. But ofcourse that won't happen because that would mean less matches between England, India, Australia. So we are stuck with this heavily flawed format.

 

[U$ofA]

Without doubt yes.

I think this wtc concept of one final is rubbish but yes test is the ultimate format.

WTC won't make sense until everyone plays equal matches. And if everyone doesn't play everyone, then atleast they should be divided into groups. But ofcourse that won't happen because that would mean less matches between England, India, Australia. So we are stuck with this heavily flawed format.

The entire WTC setup is rubbish. Especially the rules.

One particular one is the points system. Team playing the same kind of game (test) will earn different number of points for winning the match. Depending on the number of matches in the series.

Absolutely ridiculous and idiotic. The worst rule in the history of sports.

The whole WTC needs to be scrapped. Majority do not care. Pretty much no one know when the "tournament" even started or when it will end.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It's a priority for England and Australia and for India and NZ to a lesser extent.

White ball is more important for the rest of the world.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza , in a CI interview, recently stated that if he wanted one format to go it was Test cricket.

That's pretty much the attitude of all associate nations.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's Test but Pakistan cannot compete anymore.

Poverty bites

 

[FearlessRoar]

I want Pakistan to invest more in Test cricket and bring back the glory era under Misbah.

 

[kron]

It's Test but Pakistan cannot compete anymore.

Poverty bites

Start small with A tours

Use psl money to reinvest in first class cricket.

BCCI does that

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Start small with A tours

Use psl money to reinvest in first class cricket.

BCCI does that

It's ... Pakistan

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The entire WTC setup is rubbish. Especially the rules.

One particular one is the points system. Team playing the same kind of game (test) will earn different number of points for winning the match. Depending on the number of matches in the series.

Absolutely ridiculous and idiotic. The worst rule in the history of sports.

The whole WTC needs to be scrapped. Majority do not care. Pretty much no one know when the "tournament" even started or when it will end.

It is rubbish but the percentage point scoring is the only way to balance the scales somewhat between IND, ENG, AUS and teams who aren't playing as many test matches. Otherwise teams like South Africa and New Zealand would never have had a chance to qualify for the final.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

It's a priority for England and Australia and for India and NZ to a lesser extent.

White ball is more important for the rest of the world.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza , in a CI interview, recently stated that if he wanted one format to go it was Test cricket.

That's pretty much the attitude of all associate nations.

Do you think the priority will remain for India after this current batch of players retires?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Fair enough. Would you say you prefer odi WC win over a t20 WC win? Or does it give you equal joy?

Not sure if test is dying per se but definitely very niche but man nothing is more exciting than watching fast bowlers steaming in and bowling pace and bounce on a seaming track with a red cherry. I do like the ultra cobra spin too for the fun that unfolds.

ODI WC for sure man it's still the pinnacle of the game. T20 is a good achievement but it happens too often.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Do you think the priority will remain for India after this current batch of players retires?

I think we are scheduled for 5 Test series both home and away against England/Australia until around 2031.

So, it will be prioritised for the immediate future.

But I don't see it lasting beyond that.

 

[U$ofA]

It is rubbish but the percentage point scoring is the only way to balance the scales somewhat between IND, ENG, AUS and teams who aren't playing as many test matches. Otherwise teams like South Africa and New Zealand would never have had a chance to qualify for the final.

They can play just as much as Ind, Eng and Aus. No one is holding them back.

Essentially, I do not want to make the effort to play as much as you do, but want to have equal privilege is the stance of other boards. This is just entitlement.

Not only that, this situation only further discourages teams from playing more tests. Why would teams play more test matches if they can get more value for their wins by playing less. Keeping your players fit and fresh being an added bonus but playing less.

WTC is just utter ridiculousness.

 

[U$ofA]

Start small with A tours

Use psl money to reinvest in first class cricket.

BCCI does that

There is no money for the PCB. The inmates (franchises) rob the asylum blind leaving just crumbs for the PCB.

 

[moghul]

Discard T20 from international calendar and keep it to domestic and franchise cricket only , to save cricket.

Only two formats , Test and ODI should be played at international level.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

They can play just as much as Ind, Eng and Aus. No one is holding them back.

Essentially, I do not want to make the effort to play as much as you do, but want to have equal privilege is the stance of other boards. This is just entitlement.

Not only that, this situation only further discourages teams from playing more tests. Why would teams play more test matches if they can get more value for their wins by playing less. Keeping your players fit and fresh being an added bonus but playing less.

WTC is just utter ridiculousness.

Big 3 can also play less in the WTC and keep their players fresh. Nobody is holding them back.

 

[U$ofA]

Do you think the priority will remain for India after this current batch of players retires?

I say it already isn't. IPL rules Indian cricket. The next set of stars are of the Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma kind.

Sure there may be a Jaiswal here and there. But not main stream (eventually). If you are test only player, will go the Pujara way. Forgotten.

 

[U$ofA]

Big 3 can also play less in the WTC and keep their players fresh. Nobody is holding them back.

Again, that is discouraging playing tests. Is that what we want?

If yes, there is a very easy solution.

 

[jnaveen1980]

India is doing well in all the formats. Bit of slump in tests. Understandable given that there is transition. I am not a fan of international T20s. Should be restricted to leagues. But as an Indian fan i like T20 these days simply because we don't have old leeches there anymore. It gives great pleasure to watch youngsters blossoming. I will start liking ODis as well once the old guards leave the scene.

 

[Vikram1989]

India is doing well in all the formats. Bit of slump in tests. Understandable given that there is transition. I am not a fan of international T20s. Should be restricted to leagues. But as an Indian fan i like T20 these days simply because we don't have old leeches there anymore. It gives great pleasure to watch youngsters blossoming. I will start liking ODis as well once the old guards leave the scene.

I guess odis will be gone in next 5 years after sa wc .At the least they may play only before wc year. tests may be gone in 10 years.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I guess odis will be gone in next 5 years after sa wc .At the least they may play only before wc year. tests may be gone in 10 years.

ODIs are ideal format for statpadders. They can be selfish and get away. Probably the least challenging format for a batsman. There is a reason why these kings, hitmans do well in this format. Give Patidar a run he would reel out 100s too. In order to keep these superstars relevant they will keep this format alive. In T20 you cannot afford to be selfish.

 

[Vikram1989]

ODIs are ideal format for statpadders. They can be selfish and get away. Probably the least challenging format for a batsman. There is a reason why these kings, hitmans do well in this format. Give Patidar a run he would reel out 100s too. In order to keep these superstars relevant they will keep this format alive. In T20 you cannot afford to be selfish.

Stat padding is mostly a sub continent culture.In india team, only gill among the next gen for now is the stat padder .As pak and Lanka have regressed quite badly in odis to mushroom that culture back, i think it may lost its sheen.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Stat padding is mostly a sub continent culture.In india team, only gill among the next gen for now is the stat padder .As pak and Lanka have regressed quite badly in odis to mushroom that culture back, i think it may lost its sheen.

Ya. subcontinent is where we have these superstars. Pakistan has their own statpadder Babar Azam. That is what his PR team is feeding the audience everytime he goes through a slump. It is easy to statpad in this format. You don't have to have great defensive skills , don't have to have great attacking game. You can get by without being very good at both.

 

[kron]

ODIs are ideal format for statpadders. They can be selfish and get away. Probably the least challenging format for a batsman. There is a reason why these kings, hitmans do well in this format. Give Patidar a run he would reel out 100s too. In order to keep these superstars relevant they will keep this format alive. In T20 you cannot afford to be selfish.

Tribute to thala dhongi
And also the 3 leeches that followed after.

 

[Vikram1989]

Ya. subcontinent is where we have these superstars. Pakistan has their own statpadder Babar Azam. That is what his PR team is feeding the audience everytime he goes through a slump. It is easy to statpad in this format. You don't have to have great defensive skills , don't have to have great attacking game. You can get by without being very good at both.

U have to be shameless in t20s to statpad. Bangladesh players statpadding while chasing 300 is different level altogether. They were very happy to stat pad in whitewash series. I am very sure babar and rizwan will do it.Gill will be killed by gambhir if he does so in t20s.

 

[kron]

Ya. subcontinent is where we have these superstars. Pakistan has their own statpadder Babar Azam. That is what his PR team is feeding the audience everytime he goes through a slump. It is easy to statpad in this format. You don't have to have great defensive skills , don't have to have great attacking game. You can get by without being very good at both.

Pakistan changed to flat pitches just for Babar to stat pad basically vs Australia. Hence the heroics of 190 ba

 

[kron]

Ya. subcontinent is where we have these superstars. Pakistan has their own statpadder Babar Azam. That is what his PR team is feeding the audience everytime he goes through a slump. It is easy to statpad in this format. You don't have to have great defensive skills , don't have to have great attacking game. You can get by without being very good at both.

Gambo Is all talk. He won’t do crap.

He has no cojones to drop kohli Rohit.

Maybe he has no control I guess then why did he accept the job.

He is useless. He hasn’t promoted much for fast bowling either

Short man syndrome is what he has