Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell (Image Credit: Getty)

Former Australia cricketer Ian Chappell believes that if players feel Test Cricket is the pinnacle of the sport, they should agitate for a summit to discuss ways to keep the format relevant. He also pointed out that players should pick Virat Kohli as their spokesperson for the summit.

During an interview at Trent Bridge during the India vs England 1st Test of the ongoing series, Indian skipper Kohli had said that it is the responsibility of players to keep Test cricket alive by producing quality cricket. With the emergence of T20I international and T20 leagues around the world, the future of Test cricket has become a matter of worry for many cricket experts.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

If Players Need To Agitate For A Summit On Test Cricket’s Future; They Could Do No Better Than Appoint Kohli Their Spokesperson: Ian Chappell

In his column for ESPN, Former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell said that players should agitate for a summit if they feel the Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport. He also said Virat Kohli will be the best spokesperson players can have in the matter.

 If players truly believe Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport, then they need to agitate for a summit on the game’s future; they could do no better than appoint Kohli their spokesperson,” Chappel wrote in the column.

Ian Chappell further wrote that players have to speak more in the matter of saving Test cricket’s future.

“The players should want more of a say in the future direction of the game. Instead of devising more formats, which in turn results in an absurdly cluttered schedule, there needs to be rationalisation in order to produce a blueprint for the game’s future. A much-needed forum on this subject should include a wide range of participants: players, administrators, media, sponsors, medical people, and the public,” Chappell further wrote.

Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell (Image Credit: Getty)

Ian Chappell also stressed having a function development system in cricket-playing countries to develop skills of Test cricket among players.

“The skills required to excel at Test level need to be acquired at a young age and then honed in tough competition as the player rises through the grades. This can only be achieved if enough countries have a functional development system.

“If this is the case then Test cricket can remain vibrant, otherwise, it will wither on the vine. If those skills are properly honed, a player can adapt to any length of the game – Kohli being a good example,” the 77-year-old wrote.

Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell (Image Credit: Getty)

Ian Chappell played Test cricket for Australia from 1964 to 1980. In 75 Tests, the right-handed batsman scored 5345 runs at an average of 42.42.  He also played 16 ODIs for Australia, scoring 673 runs in 16 innings at an average of 48.07.

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Vikas Singh Derek has been working for Cricketaddictor since February 2021. He has written over 12,000 articles for Cricketaddictor. He is a sports writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience...