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"Nothing better than testing yourself out through the course of 5 days" : Virat Kohli on Tests
There are those who think Test cricket is under threat. They point to dwindling attendances and an aging audience as evidence, and to the dominance of home teams, the ever-expanding number of franchise T20 leagues, and even a lack of attention span in the younger generation as reasons why.
Perhaps there is some truth in it too, and the long-term health and relevance of the game’s longest format certainly shouldn’t be taken for granted. Still, the first Test of the series between England and India showed two things. That Test cricket still holds a dear place in the hearts of those who aspire to play it, and that when the contest is as gripping as it was, the format still has the capacity to captivate and inspire the next generation.
As much was confirmed by the captain’s of both sides speaking at the post-match ceremony immediately after play. “First of all I think it was a great game of cricket, great for everyone watching in the stadium and on televisions,” said Kohli. “It sets up the series really nicely I think. It should be exciting for people to watch and just enjoy Test cricket over the next few weeks.
“It’s the favourite format for me, it’s the best format in cricket. We absolutely love playing Test cricket and people who are watching as well also love it equally. There’s nothing better than testing yourself out through the course of five days against top quality opposition. I’m sure all the players playing Test cricket will vouch for that as well.”
England’s captain Joe Root said that the little something extra Test cricket requires is what makes it so special.
“There’s so much more than skill and runs and wickets when it comes to Test cricket. You’ve got to have a little bit more, some sort of inner belief and steeliness which I see a lot of in our dressing room. That carries a lot of weight when it really matters at this level.
“That atmosphere is what it’s about and that’s what makes Test cricket so brilliant. It can throw so many different things at you in the course of the three or four days and you have to really think your way round it, stay strong as a group, keep believing in one another, and special things can happen just like today.”
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/794803
There are those who think Test cricket is under threat. They point to dwindling attendances and an aging audience as evidence, and to the dominance of home teams, the ever-expanding number of franchise T20 leagues, and even a lack of attention span in the younger generation as reasons why.
Perhaps there is some truth in it too, and the long-term health and relevance of the game’s longest format certainly shouldn’t be taken for granted. Still, the first Test of the series between England and India showed two things. That Test cricket still holds a dear place in the hearts of those who aspire to play it, and that when the contest is as gripping as it was, the format still has the capacity to captivate and inspire the next generation.
As much was confirmed by the captain’s of both sides speaking at the post-match ceremony immediately after play. “First of all I think it was a great game of cricket, great for everyone watching in the stadium and on televisions,” said Kohli. “It sets up the series really nicely I think. It should be exciting for people to watch and just enjoy Test cricket over the next few weeks.
“It’s the favourite format for me, it’s the best format in cricket. We absolutely love playing Test cricket and people who are watching as well also love it equally. There’s nothing better than testing yourself out through the course of five days against top quality opposition. I’m sure all the players playing Test cricket will vouch for that as well.”
England’s captain Joe Root said that the little something extra Test cricket requires is what makes it so special.
“There’s so much more than skill and runs and wickets when it comes to Test cricket. You’ve got to have a little bit more, some sort of inner belief and steeliness which I see a lot of in our dressing room. That carries a lot of weight when it really matters at this level.
“That atmosphere is what it’s about and that’s what makes Test cricket so brilliant. It can throw so many different things at you in the course of the three or four days and you have to really think your way round it, stay strong as a group, keep believing in one another, and special things can happen just like today.”
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/794803
